Sunday, February 1st, 2009
90 / A
Tasted by Mike Supple - 01 Jun 2008
Opaque purple core with a ruby rim. Pretty floral aromas over dark plum, cassis and cherry fruits with a toasted biscuit note, all accented by fresh anise. The palate is rich with cherry and orange zest flavors backed by a touch of earth underneath and just a hint of toasty oak lingering in the finish. The tannins are very ripe and approachable and are balanced by a good hit of acidity. This wine is approachable now if decanted for a few hours - it will be at its best in the next 3 years or so.
Some of the best wines ever made in Bordeaux were produced in 2005. This wine more than lives up to the challenge of providing outstanding drinking during a time when the Euro is so strong against the dollar. The wine is made of 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The vineyard team takes immeasurable care to grow the best quality grapes while using a minimum of fertilizers and pesticides. The grapes are all sorted by hand to ensure only the top berries make it into the vats for fermentation. Many 2005s are still too young to drink, but this wine is starting to show itself beautifully, particularly if you shake it up and expose it to some air (or decant it for a few hours). Very fruity and approachable with great structure and mouthfeel. A fantastic value for 2005 Bordeaux. [Note: this is NOT to be confused with this winery's other wine, Chateau Reignac, which is also from Bordeaux Superieur, and made from a similar blend of grapes. This wine costs a few dollars more (~$28) and is more tannic.]
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Tags: 2005, anise, biscuit, bordeaux, cabernet, cassis, chateau, cherry, earth, floral, Franc, france, merlot, oak, orange, plum, purple, red, red wine, reignac, ruby, sauvignon, Superieur, toast, wine, zest
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Tuesday, January 27th, 2009
93 / B+
Tasted by Mike Supple - 31 Oct 2008
Dark core with a touch of garnet on the rim. Fresh cherry and dark plum aromas are supported by smoky tar, violets, charred oak and lingering sweet blueberry. Smooth and juicy entry on the palate. Lots of very soft, approachable tannins supporting a core of dark fruits with highlights of vanilla and caramel. Silky from the front to the back of the palate with a long, lingering finish of raspberries and cream. In a word, delicious.
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc.
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Tags: blueberry, bonneville, brul, cabernet, caramel, carriage, char, cherry, Columbia, cote, cream, dubrul, Franc, garnet, house, juice, merlot, oak, plum, raspberry, red, red wine, sauvignon, silk, smoke, tar, valley, vanilla, Vineyard, violet, Washington, wine, yakima
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Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
91 / B
Tasted by Mike Supple - 28 May 2008
Bright ruby core with a brick rim. Explosive floral aromas surround dark cherry, fresh ginger bread, charcoal and a hint of green pepper. The wine enters the mouth with a nice soft, rich and round feel. Coffee, mocha, black cherry and sweet tobacco linger for a ling time on the finish. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot.
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Tags: 2001, Adige, Alto, Blend, cabernet, charcoal, cherry, coffee, delle, Dolomiti, floral, Franc, ginger, green, italy, Leonardo, merlot, mocha, pepper, red, red wine, San, sauvignon, Tenuta, tobacco, Trentino, Vignetti
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
95 - 97 / NA
Tasted by Mike Supple - 01 Apr 2006
60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Thick, opulent dark black with a bright red rim. New oak aroma over intriguing steamed rice and soft cherry and cassis. Very smooth on the palate with fine round tannins in the mouth. Long, sweet, spicy cherry, vanilla and raspberry finish. This is a powerhouse with beautifully integrated tannins.
This wine is not yet released from the winery, thus it has no price or value grade.
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Tags: 2005, Blend, bordeaux, cabernet, cassis, chateau, cherry, Franc, france, merlot, Monbousquet, oak, raspberry, red, red wine, rice, spice, St-Emilion, vanilla
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
89 / C+
Tasted by Mike Supple - 27 Aug 2008
Medium ruby core with a pink rim. Orange zest aromas over cassis, strawberry and red cherry with lighter charcoal and wet earth notes. Sweet cocoa and strawberries on the front palate with nice baking spices on the back. Black cherry with a touch of licorice and vanilla on the finish. This is a real easy drinker, not a lot of tannin. For the price, I’d like to see a little more tannin or complexity. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
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Tags: 2005, Blend, cabernet, california, cassis, charcoal, cherry, Coast, cocoa, Collection, Donald, earth, Franc, licorice, Luke, merlot, Napa, North, Petit, red, red wine, sauvignon, spice, strawberry, USA, valley, vanilla, verdot, zest
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