Search results for: 'paraje de close'

95 Points! Energizing tannins and vivid fruit acidity power the massive black fruits and intricate oak spices in this muscular but polished wine. Plump blackberries, baked blueberries, black currants and cedar all add to the compelling flavors. Built to improve and gain complexity with age, this wine should drink best from 2027–2037. - Wine Enthusiast

94 Points! The Rutherford Reserve leads with black fruits, toffee and oak spices. Full-bodied with ripe sweet blackberry and black cherry notes, building tannins that are a bit granular. The wine has plenty of grip and is built on 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petit Verdot, aged 21 months in 80% new French oak. It is nicely balanced with a pH of 3.64 and is one not easy to put down. - Decanter Magazine

92 Points! The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Reserve is packed with dark fruit, chocolate, grilled herbs, leather and incense. In 2020, winemaker Trevor Durling added 10% Petit Verdot to add body, a decision that paid off handsomely. This is a very fine wine for the year. Chocolaty tannins linger on the close. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

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96 Points! The 2022 Hub comes from 40-year-old vines in a high-elevation plot in Guarilihue, located on shallow red granite soils containing a balanced proportion of iron and sand. It opens with a deep, transparent perfume that continually generates additional lift and dimension the longer it remains in the glass. The palate is the quintessence of ethereal, featuring a racy, floating texture that gently grips before fully releasing into a mineral-drenched, layered, refined finish that endlessly regenerates chalky intensity. The purity and power held in the structure of this wine are captivating, and there is no need to cellar it further—although I do not doubt it will develop beautifully over the coming decade. - Matthew Luczy, robertparker.com

95 Points! Arresting floral aromas of pepper funk with watermelon, pomegranates and rose hips. Crushed flowers, too. Delicate and fragile with subtle reduction that makes it even more seductive and provocative. Ethereal and tense at the same time on the palate, showing very little heft. Chalky, firm tannins grip the finish, giving a dusty feel to the fruit. Super delicious now, but better in one or two more years. - JamesSuckling.com

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100 Points! The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is every bit as thrilling as it was on the many occasions I tasted it from barrel. Black cherry, hard candy, plum, rose petal, menthol and lavender saturate the palate in a sumptuous, racy Brunello endowed with magnificent depth and pedigree. An utterly stunning, sensual wine, the 2010 constantly changes in the glass as it conquers all the senses with an exotic kaleidoscope of aromas, flavors and textures. I remember tasting the 2010 from cask a few years ago when Diego Molinari was too unwell to go down to the cellar. Nora Molinari tasked me with essentially serving myself as we went from vintage to vintage and cask to cask. For days after, I was mortified that I might not have closed some of the spigots tightly enough. Fortunately, that was not the case. In all of my years tasting the wines of Montalcino, I have only come across two wines with this level of textural unctuosity and sweetness; Gianfranco Soldera's 1983 Brunello and 1990 Riserva. Cerbaiona's 2010 Brunello di Montalcino will leave readers weak at the knees. It is every bit that profound. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

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98 Points! Originating from decomposed granite soils containing mica, quartz, silt and sand, the 2022 Miles holds the top position in the Pedro Parra cellar. It presents an enchanting bouquet of dark fruits, exotic spices and fresh flowers that is both commanding and elegant, focused and expansive. The silky palate merges the finest elements found throughout the collection and unites them: textural richness, vibrant energy and a gripping tannic foundation. It ends with a juicy, tense and almost sweet intensity, although it finishes bone-dry and lingers with remarkable persistence, nuance and depth. Within a cellar filled with wines intended to transcend their varieties and express only their origins, this bottling achieves that objective most clearly. - Matthew Luczy, robertparker.com

95 Points! Probably the most well-rounded or balanced Pedro Parra cru that according to Parra is the Rumbo Al Norte of Comando G. What is certain here is the complexity and depth, with subtler white pepper funkiness but a little more fruit in a complex, nuanced mode. Grapefruit, minerals, rose petals, white pepper reduction and dried watermelon. A little rounder and creaminer than Parra’s Newk, with fresh, dusty tannins that extend to the lengthy, nicely austere finish. A little richer than the 2021. Drink from 2025. - JamesSuckling.com

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PLEASE BE AWARE, THIS IS A PRE-ARRIVAL WINE - YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED SHIPPING FEES UNTIL THE WINE(S) ARRIVE

98 Points! The Grand Vin from this terrific Pomerol estate, the 2022 Château Clinet checks in as 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 19 months in 80% new barrels. It's a beautiful Pomerol that clearly ranks with the greats from this address, offering a vivid purple hue, classic notes of cassis, leather, graphite, and black cherries, full-bodied richness, and a layered, seamless mouthfeel. It's another remarkable 2022 that brings the richness and depth of the vintage while staying light on its feel and flawlessly balanced. It has plenty of upfront appeal even today, yet there's ample structure here as well, and it's going to evolve beautifully over the coming 30 years or more. - Jeb Dunnuck

96 Points! Streamlined and sleek, silky smooth but also gorgeously textured, clean and clear with grip and interest. Less fleshy and chewy than some, more charming and elegant with tannins that have a weight in the mouth. There is clear power and concentration underneath the juicy acidity with a straight backbone and direct energy from start to finish. Appealing layers of salinity, blackcurrant fruit, creamy vanilla, cool cola touches and crushed stones on the finish. Feels well made and sophisticated. 3.74pH. A yield of 34hl/ha. Earliest harvest ever starting on 6 September for Merlot and 20 and 21 September for Cabernet Sauvignon. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter.com

96 Points! The 2022 Clinet is terrific. Vibrant, aromatic and beautifully sculpted, Clinet is also a terrific example of the energy quality-minded winemakers were able to achieve in 2022. Crushed rose petals, spice, blood orange, mint and white pepper give Clinet a compelling upper register of presence in the bouquet. Wonderfully delineated, Clinet builds effortlessly into the mid-palate and finish, where a closing burst of red/purplish fruit framed by clean mineral notes leaves a lasting impression. This is stellar. Tasted two times. Drinking window : 2030-2052 - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Intense aromas of dark violets and blueberries as well as terra-cotta follow through to a full body, yet it’s tight and focused with beautifully framed fruit from polished tannins and a long and rather endless finish. A complete and fresh Pomerol in 2022. - JamesSuckling.com

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98 Points! The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a towering wine. Just as it did en primeur, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. The Cabernets are very high in the blend, and that comes through in a Saint-Julien endowed with ton of explosive vertical lift. Lavender, dried herbs, mint, spice, rose petal and a kick of orange peel are some of the notes that run through this striking Pichon Comtesse. The aromatics alone are compelling, but everything about the 2021 speaks to class personified. Bright saline notes extend the finish. In a word: sublime. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

97 Points! Fantastic aromas of blackberries, blackcurrants and graphite. Metal shavings. It's medium-bodied, with a classy center-palate of fruit and fine, velvety tannins leading to an almost endless finish. This has so much class, especially for the vintage. Very low production. Drink after 2028. - JamesSuckling.com

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Sourced from 45+ year-old vines in Paton, Lys de Volan, la Bonnette, Rochecourbe, Les Rivoires, Merlant

95 Points! Slightly deeper hued (barely) than the classic Condrieu, the 2023 Condrieu Vieilles Vignes is another tour de force from this producer. Stone fruits, toasted nuts, orange liqueur, and crushed stone all give this a slightly more mineral-laced, masculine style. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's concentrated, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, a terrific sense of freshness, and outstanding length, with a touch of salinity on the finish. It's geared for the dinner table and should drink nicely through 2033. Both of these latest Condrieu from Tardieu-Laurent are brilliant wines. - Jeb Dunnuck

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97+ Points!  I loved the 2020 Château Pape Clément, and this beauty is up there with the top wines in Pessac. Checking in as equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged 18 months in 90% barrels and 10% in foudre, it offers a deep purple hue to go with a powerful, concentrated profile displaying both red and black fruits, lots of spicy, chocolate, flowery incense nuances, full-bodied richness, and an almost salty, bloody character on the finish. This beauty shows the concentrated yet utterly classic, focused, elegant style of the vintage and has so much to love. It's going to be even better with 4-6 years of bottle age and will see its 30th birthday in fine form. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

98 Points!  Lots of blackberry, iodine and crushed stone here. Some black pepper and graphite, too. Full body and medium, fine tannins that have a powdery texture and open in the mouth. So much going on. Iodine and iron undertones with some raw mushroom bring you back for more. Muscular. This is for the cellar. Drink after 2027. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

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95 Points! The judges were all struck by the purity of Côte des Blancs specialist Delamotte, sister house of Salon in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. President Didier Depond believes in the ‘freshness and poise’ of Chardonnay, which here comes entirely from grand cru villages (with just 8% Pinot Noir, also from grand cru villages of the Montagne de Reims). Based on the ripe 2020 vintage, with a modest 15% reserve wines, the class of the source material shines in this exemplary bottling. Tom Hewson: Very alluring bright cherry, honey and brown butter richness. Serious, with stony minerality, dried flowers and mandarin/grapefruit. Stunning. Eugenio Egorov: Fresh redcurrants, cranberries and apples, notes of tangerine and bread crust. Rounded fruit is balanced by lively acidity, with a light mousse. Victoria Mason MW: Nutty oxidative aromas, flinty funk, creamy white peach and lemon curd. This is complex and intense, with a vibrant, pink grapefruit, tangy freshness. Persistent and elegant. - Decanter World Wine Awards

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100 Points! One of the most powerful and significant La Fleur-Petrus I have ever tasted with incredible depth and power. It’s full and so layered with fine and intense tannins. It shows very dark fruits, dark chocolate with hazelnuts, and milk chocolate with almonds. This will age for eternity. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

100 Points! The finest vintage from this address I've ever tasted, as well as a perfect wine, the 2020 Château La Fleur-Petrus reveals a dense purple hue to go with a deep, layered, full-bodied, yet flawlessly balanced style carrying a smorgasbord-like array of red and black fruits, chocolate, dried flowers, spicy oak, and damp earth. It's not a powerhouse in the style of Trotanoy, Vieux Château Certain, or say, Clinet, but is all about finesse, elegance, and complexity. This magical Pomerol will benefit from 4-6 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-30 years in cold cellars. - Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com

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100 Points! Tasted with Lisa and Philip Togni in their winery atop Spring Mountain in February of 2024. An absolutely riveting Cabernet showing a deep ruby-purple colour. Gorgeously fragrant at the cork's pull with terrific violets and loads of black currants and dark dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied with chiselled, precise tannins that build and build on the palate. At this early stage, the wine is full of ripe blackberry and black currant fruits that harbour impressive clarity of flavours, growing even more expressive with beautiful sagebrush nuances. Philipp Togni remarked that this vintage reminds him of St. Julien. Indeed, it is incredibly aromatic, elegant, and structured, and it is also a complete and seamless wine. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon is joined by 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet France, and 1% Petit Verdot. - Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter Magazine

99 Points! The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is an outrageously beautiful wine and also one of the wines of the year. A soaring, exotic bouquet makes a strong opening statement. Pliant and creamy, with mind-blowing textural finesse, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. Hard candy, mint, lavender, Kirsch and spice linger on the close. The 2021 possesses mind-blowing purity and exceptional finesse. (Drink between 2031-2051). - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

97 Points! The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 15% Merlot and traces of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold notions of blackcurrant jelly, juicy black plums, and wild blueberries followed by hints of crushed rocks, cardamom, licorice, and tar plus a fragrant touch of violets. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with black fruit and mineral layers, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long with loads of ferrous and earthy sparks. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

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100 Points! Tasted with Lisa and Philip Togni in their winery atop Spring Mountain in February of 2024. An absolutely riveting Cabernet showing a deep ruby-purple colour. Gorgeously fragrant at the cork's pull with terrific violets and loads of black currants and dark dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied with chiselled, precise tannins that build and build on the palate. At this early stage, the wine is full of ripe blackberry and black currant fruits that harbour impressive clarity of flavours, growing even more expressive with beautiful sagebrush nuances. Philipp Togni remarked that this vintage reminds him of St. Julien. Indeed, it is incredibly aromatic, elegant, and structured, and it is also a complete and seamless wine. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon is joined by 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet France, and 1% Petit Verdot. - Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter Magazine

99 Points! The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is an outrageously beautiful wine and also one of the wines of the year. A soaring, exotic bouquet makes a strong opening statement. Pliant and creamy, with mind-blowing textural finesse, the 2021 dazzles from start to finish. Hard candy, mint, lavender, Kirsch and spice linger on the close. The 2021 possesses mind-blowing purity and exceptional finesse. (Drink between 2031-2051). - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

97 Points! The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 15% Merlot and traces of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts from the glass with bold notions of blackcurrant jelly, juicy black plums, and wild blueberries followed by hints of crushed rocks, cardamom, licorice, and tar plus a fragrant touch of violets. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with black fruit and mineral layers, framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful tension, finishing long with loads of ferrous and earthy sparks. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Independent

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98-100 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
"Flowers, forest leaves, raspberries, tobacco leaves, plums, and espresso create a captivating perfume. The palate is shaped by gorgeous purity of fruit, elegance, tension, and creamy layers of fruit and minerality that linger for close to 60 seconds."

98-100 Points The Wine Palate
"A flamboyant perfume of violets, black raspberries, dark chocolate, cassis and blueberries. The palate shimmers with perfumed fruit, firm fine-grained tannins and amazing tension, finishing with a firework display of mineral and floral sparks."

98 Points Decanter
"Pure happiness in a glass. Gorgeous perfumed aromas, silky tannins, absolute clarity and precision. Creamy, velvety and softly chalky with a cool mint and cola note that lingers. A showstopper."

98 Points Jane Anson
"Cocoa bean, espresso, blood orange, baked plum, blackberry, peony and iris flowers. Intense and concentrated with slate-strewn tannic architecture and tremendous ageing potential."

97-99 Points Jeb Dunnuck
"An ultra-classic bouquet of cassis, violets, graphite and leafy tobacco. Medium to full-bodied with beautiful tannins, flawless balance and an incredibly pure, finesse-driven style."

97-99 Points Wine Advocate
"Exceptional potential with ripe cherries, minty blackberries, sweet spices and pencil lead. Dense, deep and concentrated with sweet tannins, bright acids and a long, penetrating finish."

96-98Points Neal Martin, Vinous
"Remarkably understated and elegant with blackberry, wild strawberry, tobacco and dark chocolate. Fine tannins and a beautifully structured finish make this one of the most refined wines of the vintage."

96-98 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"A powerful, deeply structured wine filled with dark fruit, mocha, incense, tobacco and grilled herbs. A towering Figeac of the highest level with impeccable balance."

96-97 Points James Suckling
"A dense yet open-grained wine with velvety tannins, plum, currant and cedar flavors. Juicy, refined and beautifully balanced."

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95 Points! The 1998 Maya (500 cases from a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc and 55% Cabernet Sauvignon) is an amazing effort, possessing multiple layers of fruit, sweet tannin, and no herbaceousness, astringency, or thinness. This is an amazing tour de force in winemaking for the vintage. It is loaded, with impeccable balance. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com, 2002

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95 Points! The 2018 El Cismático was produced with old-vine Garnacha from the villages of Villarroya de la Sierra and Cervera de la Cañada, four small vineyards. It fermented in open-top vats with 20% full clusters and was punched down by hand. They wine matured in second use 500-liter French oak barrels and some concrete for 13 months. As a lot of the reds are completely unoaked, this felt quite oaky and creamy, one that needs a little more time in bottle to absorb the impact from the wood. The wine is floral, expressive, showy and exuberant, peachy and juicy, with very fine tannins, with good acidity and balanced alcohol, harmonious, reflecting a slow and good ripening of the grapes. Most of these reds are showy and exuberant, not shy wines at all, generous and hedonistic. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com Learn More

97-98 Points James Suckling

"Perfumed and clear, with aromas of raspberries, flowers and citrus. Medium-bodied, showing fine tannins and a tangy finish with salty undertones. A linear and complex wine with unique balance."

96-98 Points Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider

"Cherries, plums, tobacco, cinnamon, spearmint, and cigar box aromatics get you instantly focused on the nose. The palate is plush, polished, creamy, elegant, and fresh. The berries display refinement and purity, while the concentrated finish lingers with vivid mint, tobacco, spice, black raspberries, and Morello cherries."

96 Points Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

"Inky plum colour, a wine full of charm and personality. Flinty gunsmoke reduction, intense concentration, pumice stone and steel, with tremendous lift and classic limestone character supported by a creamy undertow."

95-97 Points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

"The 2025 Pavie Macquin is a powerful, structured wine. Dark-fleshed fruit, chocolate, menthol, licorice, sage and lavender add to an impression of brooding density and pure power. Floral top notes lift the close. I can't wait to see how this ages."

94-96 Points Jeb Dunnuck

"Exotic blue fruits, crushed stone, liquid violets, and gun smoke all define the aromatics. Medium to full-bodied, with a deep, concentrated mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a beautiful finish. This terroir always yields a fresh, mineral-driven style, and the 2025 reminds me slightly of the 2016."

95 Points Decanter

"Dark licorice, black chocolate, and toasted notes lead into a round, softly plump palate with fleshy tannins and a bright core of cranberry-edged acidity. Structured and firm, yet supported by generous tannins that bring charm and accessibility."

94-96 Points Lisa Perrotti-Brown

"Initially shy, revealing cedar chest and pencil shavings before unfurling black cherries, black raspberries, peonies, and forest floor nuances. The medium-bodied palate delivers a crisp line of tension, velvety tannins, and bright red and black fruit layers, finishing long and perfumed."

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99 Points! Very classy and refined with subtle complexity and linear structure. Floral and perfumed. Medium- to full-bodied. Fine velvety tannins and a bright finish. Racy and fine. Really intense. Juniper and fresh sage. Bitter lemon. Botanicals. Bright. 88% merlot and 12% cabernet franc. Drink or hold. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com

98 Points!  Glamour and seduction in spades at L'Evangile giving classic Pomerol typicity with a kick. Floral and expressive on the nose with pink and purple flowers, pink peppercorns, white and dark chocolate, raspberries and black cherries. Gorgeous texture on the palate, rich, deep, potent in the weight and tannic frame - chalky, ripe, mouthfilling, gently chewy giving bounce to the blackcurrant, plum, strawberry and cherry fruit while the minerality and salinity give a cool, fresh undercurrent. Clearly youthful and strict but such long length, really direct and focussed. Sleek yet muscular, everything feels precise and sculpted with a lingering clove and cinnamon edge giving the angles and tension right now. Clean and straight with precision, shape and style, tons of energy and juiciness. A great wine. - Decanter Magazine

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95+ Points! The 2010 Les Pavots (3,000 cases produced) is composed of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. More backward and firmer than the 2009, it exhibits copious notes of chocolate fudge, creme de cassis, blackberry liqueur, graphite and licorice as well as stunning concentration, full body, perfect balance and a massive personality. Still unevolved, it will benefit from several more years of bottle age, and should keep for three decades. - Robert Parker, robertparker.com

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95–97 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Deep purple-hued, the 2025 Château Bellefont-Belcier is a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that's being raised in 30% new barrels, 30% oval foudres, and the balance in once- and twice-used oak. Coming from a beautiful site just beyond Larcis Ducasse, it has fabulous aromatics of cassis and assorted red and blue fruits, along with spring flowers, graphite, tobacco, and smoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a pure, graceful, remarkably elegant mouthfeel, polished tannins, and integrated tannins. It's an impressive Saint-Emilion that shows just how successful the Côte Pavie hillside can be in the vintage.”

95–96 Points – James Suckling
“The depth and intensity in the center palate makes you think. It’s medium- to full-bodied with very integrated, polished grape tannins. Creamy texture. A curated and transparent effort.”

95 Points – Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux
“Sweet berry fruit, shows lovely grip and clear limestone signature without sacrificing flesh. Raspberry, blood orange, pomegranate, wet stones, grilled cumin, incense, oyster shell rise through the palate. Harvest September 5 to 23. 30% new oak. 3.48 pH. Yield 33 hl/ha, JC Meyrou director, Emmanuelle d'Aligny-Fulchi technical director.”

94–96 Points – Wine Advocate (Yohan Castaing)
“The 2025 Bellefont-Belcier stands out once again as one of the highlights in the Vignobles K range. It offers a lively bouquet of cassis, mulberries and cherries mingled with spices and pencil lead. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and seamless, it’s built around a concentrated core of fruit that's animated by bright acidity and framed by velvety tannins. The finish is long, ethereal and perfumed. It's a blend of 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, matured one-third in foudres, with a pH of 3.48. This is one of the most accomplished wines produced at this address to date.”

92–95 Points – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The 2025 Bellefont-Belcier is another step forward for this Saint-Émilion estate. Aromatic and silky but with plenty of power, the 2025 hits all the right notes. Crushed flowers, mint, tobacco, incense and anise present gorgeous layers of aromatic nuance. Silky tannins frame the close. Tasted two times.”

 

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