Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose has spice, oak and dark cherries. On the palate, cherries and chocolate. Seems like a fair amount of Merlot must be in this. A new estate for me. This is drinking well right now at 8 years from vintage. It has a fair amount of oak on it, so if that is an issue, let it cellar for a while. It should integrate in the next five years or so.
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This is a Trader Joe's wine made from Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is an easy drinking rose that is easy on the budget. Deep pink/orange in color. The nose has some watermelons and strawberries. Light bodied. On the palate, a bit of clean strawberries. Drank well enough on its own and worked with a variety of garden and fruit salads. Drink up this summer.
I have been lucky enough to have this on a few occasions. Never has it been open or showing anything like it's lofty status with the critics would indicate so I approached with trepidation. No need. This bottle was amazing. Everything it was supposed to be including still a bit on the young side. It is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Inky purple in color, ruby at the rim. Bright but mostly opaque. On the nose, lovely cassis, cigar box, ash and slight pencil lead. The lead becomes more pronounced with air and there is some chocolate and spi
Very impressive showing and while just a bit tight, this opened nice with air. Purple in color, opaque and bright. Black currants, plums, baking spices, graphite and char on the nose. Full bodied with a lush texture. On the palate, this unwinds in the glass to show depth and layers of fruit (plums and black currants), spice, slight forest floor, and smoke. Great balance. Delicious. Long finish. This is not yet at peak but well worth opening now and letting it breathe. Drink over the next twenty years. It drinks great on its own but will work better with food. Roasted duck or eggp
Much better and cleaner than another bottle tried a couple years ago. Both were bought on release at the same time. A right bank wine from the great 2005 vintage. The vineyard is 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc (unsure about the specific vintage in bottle). Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, cedar, chocolate, slight tobacco and just a bit of smoke. Consumed over two days, this was better/more open on day 2. Full bodied. Lush texture but with good acidity. Lots of black cherry fruit over smoke with some chocolate. Nice finish. This s
