All Reviews
by Robert O’Maoilriain CSW
by Robert O’Maoilriain CSW
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Overall character is that of a sex loaded scarlet; endowed, jaunty and erotically scented with every part smelling and tasting provocative, flamboyant and blooming. Its gorgeous, vaunting
style is burning, mantling and amorous with a extravagant softness that is grandiose, exotic and pursed lipped. There is a edginess, sophistication and dominating air that questions whether your palette has the true aptitude to handle the complete clutch of this much worldliness. The body is chasmal, bounteous and a little weighty. In the tasting profile you will never find the true heart of this scandalous wine so just enjoy your x-rated time together. Be aware you will be left lauding and lost when you awake.
The principle flavors change dramatically throughout the decanting process and are generally very floral including red roses, lavender, geranium, dried hibiscus flowers, cranberry raisins, currant jelly, mango with skins, red plums, cobbler, red cherry pie, marmalade red apple skins, strawberry balsamic, raspberry iced tea, fig jelly, orange flower water, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, paprika, star anise, graham cracker, sweet baking spice, at times cassis, blackberry bramble and whole black peppercorn.
Classic comparison- The wine most comparable to a Cotes du Roussillon-Villages AOC Wine from southwestern France due to its dominating rose flavors and velvet glove texture. To a lesser part Fronsac AOC (Bordeaux Rouge) for the lavender and spice notes, however this wine is much heavier than a Fronsac AOC..
The principle flavors change dramatically throughout the decanting process and are generally very floral including red roses, lavender, geranium, dried hibiscus flowers, cranberry raisins, currant jelly, mango with skins, red plums, cobbler, red cherry pie, marmalade red apple skins, strawberry balsamic, raspberry iced tea, fig jelly, orange flower water, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, paprika, star anise, graham cracker, sweet baking spice, at times cassis, blackberry bramble and whole black peppercorn.
Classic comparison- The wine most comparable to a Cotes du Roussillon-Villages AOC Wine from southwestern France due to its dominating rose flavors and velvet glove texture. To a lesser part Fronsac AOC (Bordeaux Rouge) for the lavender and spice notes, however this wine is much heavier than a Fronsac AOC..
96PTS Azzaro Vineyards Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2006 $40
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DETAILED TASTING NOTES
Nose- (68F)- Dense, focused and forward aromatics with over the top dried hibiscus flowers, dark rose petals, dried cranberry’s, red plum compote, lavender, Logan-berries, cobbler, mango puree and ripe skins, currant preserves, mission fig paste, añejo rum, crushed velvet, rosewater, orange marmalade, geranium, cloves, violets, cedar box Grand Marnier™, spices, cranberry baked tort, red plum preserves, red apple skins and seeds, dark spice and mineral, violets, espresso, soy, black plum, blackberry brambles, mission figs, dried black plums.
Taste, straight from bottle(65F)(95pts)- The wine begins after its dazzling show of esters and exotic, lush scents on the bouquet with a rich mouthfeel on the palette. It is endowed and latching in the first taste on the palate followed by loads of rich, dried and preserved fruits, sensual roses, bramble, baked red fruit pastries, red plum preserves, currant jelly, mango marmalade, cranberry torte, dried tobacco, bay leaves, cinnamon briar and allspice.
Taste, decanted 10 minutes(68F)(97pts)- A few minutes in and the wine further rounds out and becomes an absolute stunner. Fresh dark roses, geraniums, raisined hibiscus flowers, mango daiquiri, cinnamon, orange flower water, cardamom, black licorice, cassis paste, orange spice, and baked red fruits.
Taste, decanted 20 minutes at (68F)(97pts)- The red fruits are giving way to a little cassis driven black fruit on the end of the palate with more time and air. Still roses, red plum, currant, raspberry tea, tea leaves, roses, lavender, apricot and sour cherry dominate the front of the taste profile.
Taste, decanted 30 minutes at (68F)(98pts)- Half an hour in and still balanced, integrated and holding up despite it being a heavy weight and ferocious wine. Roses, red cherry pie, cobbler, red apple skins, clean currant jelly, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, baking spice, currant, fresh pomegranate, red plum are center stage on the palette at this point.
Taste, decanted 40 minutes at(68F)(96pts)- This wine is well wound considering its large size and power. Its structure is still holding together seamlessly. It hasn’t crashed yet like many powerful titans often do. Lavender, currant paste, dries roses, fig jelly, blackberry bramble, cassis, blackberry pie and chocolate with a few of the flavors going darker with air from time in the decanter. Great spice and now mineral are showing in the wine.
Taste, decanted 50 minutes at(69F)(96pts)- Lavender, black pepper corns, perfume, paprika, coriander, rosemary, star anise, rose petals, violets, geranium, strawberry balsamic, raspberry, graham cracker, smores, molasses, bitter sweet dark chocolate, coco powder, lavender blossom honey, breakfast tea, dried cranberries and currant preserves are showing in the wine at 50 minutes decanted.
Taste, decanted 60 minutes at(69F)(96pts)- Hibiscus flowers, currant, lavender, paprika, roses, Logan-berry and strawberry preserves, the red to lavender colored fruits are dominating again push the few dark fruit flavors back to the back ground. I continued to consume this wine for over two hours in decanter and to my surprise it never once unraveled.
Food Pairings- A very versatile wine that would be great served with several different food courses of mostly richer foods as it changes flavors greatly throughout the decanting process. Try changing the glass types and shapes with each course and watch this wine flavors change. Drink without food or with rosemary rack of lamb, bacon wrapped ribeye, rosemary rabbit, Italian sausages, traditional German chicken dumplings, German sausage and kraut, duck jambalaya, Greek stuffed grape leafs (dolmades), chocolate torte, richer crab cioppino, chocolate cream pie.
Taste, straight from bottle(65F)(95pts)- The wine begins after its dazzling show of esters and exotic, lush scents on the bouquet with a rich mouthfeel on the palette. It is endowed and latching in the first taste on the palate followed by loads of rich, dried and preserved fruits, sensual roses, bramble, baked red fruit pastries, red plum preserves, currant jelly, mango marmalade, cranberry torte, dried tobacco, bay leaves, cinnamon briar and allspice.
Taste, decanted 10 minutes(68F)(97pts)- A few minutes in and the wine further rounds out and becomes an absolute stunner. Fresh dark roses, geraniums, raisined hibiscus flowers, mango daiquiri, cinnamon, orange flower water, cardamom, black licorice, cassis paste, orange spice, and baked red fruits.
Taste, decanted 20 minutes at (68F)(97pts)- The red fruits are giving way to a little cassis driven black fruit on the end of the palate with more time and air. Still roses, red plum, currant, raspberry tea, tea leaves, roses, lavender, apricot and sour cherry dominate the front of the taste profile.
Taste, decanted 30 minutes at (68F)(98pts)- Half an hour in and still balanced, integrated and holding up despite it being a heavy weight and ferocious wine. Roses, red cherry pie, cobbler, red apple skins, clean currant jelly, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, baking spice, currant, fresh pomegranate, red plum are center stage on the palette at this point.
Taste, decanted 40 minutes at(68F)(96pts)- This wine is well wound considering its large size and power. Its structure is still holding together seamlessly. It hasn’t crashed yet like many powerful titans often do. Lavender, currant paste, dries roses, fig jelly, blackberry bramble, cassis, blackberry pie and chocolate with a few of the flavors going darker with air from time in the decanter. Great spice and now mineral are showing in the wine.
Taste, decanted 50 minutes at(69F)(96pts)- Lavender, black pepper corns, perfume, paprika, coriander, rosemary, star anise, rose petals, violets, geranium, strawberry balsamic, raspberry, graham cracker, smores, molasses, bitter sweet dark chocolate, coco powder, lavender blossom honey, breakfast tea, dried cranberries and currant preserves are showing in the wine at 50 minutes decanted.
Taste, decanted 60 minutes at(69F)(96pts)- Hibiscus flowers, currant, lavender, paprika, roses, Logan-berry and strawberry preserves, the red to lavender colored fruits are dominating again push the few dark fruit flavors back to the back ground. I continued to consume this wine for over two hours in decanter and to my surprise it never once unraveled.
Food Pairings- A very versatile wine that would be great served with several different food courses of mostly richer foods as it changes flavors greatly throughout the decanting process. Try changing the glass types and shapes with each course and watch this wine flavors change. Drink without food or with rosemary rack of lamb, bacon wrapped ribeye, rosemary rabbit, Italian sausages, traditional German chicken dumplings, German sausage and kraut, duck jambalaya, Greek stuffed grape leafs (dolmades), chocolate torte, richer crab cioppino, chocolate cream pie.
All reviews, tasting notes and photos by Robert O’Maoilriain Wine Critic. Thanks for reading and sharing this website with your friends. The most accurate and detailed reviews in wine today.