Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9247
 | | 09/03/2003 7:19 PM |
| | Decanted for 9 hours before tasting. Dense opaque purple – almost black, with bright dark red edges, this is a glass stainer, sticking to the sides and forming thick, slow moving legs. The huge nose can be smelled from several feet away, and shows a little less of the blueberry that seemed to dominate the 2001 version, along with smoke, anise, spruce, juniper, and dark cherries. High-toned acidity and ripe fleshy round tannins mark the palate, carrying crushed blackberries and a compelling floral component (violets?), leading to a tremendously long finish. This powerhouse Shiraz doesn’t come across as ‘hot’ as the regular Shiraz, despite it’s 16% alcohol, and needs some short term rest to come together a bit more. (94-95) points, drink 2004-2009. | | | |
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Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9247
| | 09/03/2003 7:21 PM |
| And just to add to this, there was a bit leftover, so I tasted again the following night:
This wine has now been opened for 36 hours. Still inky purple/black, still going strong. Nose has developed some chocolate/mocha notes along with more distinguished blueberries and blackberries. Softer and plush on the palate, creamy and rich, showing some alcohol on the finish. | | | |
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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4990
| | 09/03/2003 7:22 PM |
| | You tease us..... I can't wait to get my hands on some. This is one of my favs in the fruit bomb category. | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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Lee Ann
Barrel Filler
Posts:1232
| | 09/03/2003 8:34 PM |
| | ... I am also anxiously awaiting the 2002 here in NJ! | | | |
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TCK
Barrel Filler
Posts:1279
| | 09/03/2003 8:37 PM |
| add a third...
Ojeffso has me pumped about this one! | | | |
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Budman
Master of Wine
Posts:11876
| | 09/03/2003 8:50 PM |
| ... and a fourth!  | | | |
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rickym13
los angeles
Wine Thief
Posts:2843
| | 09/03/2003 11:45 PM |
| Those of you in the east cosat. When the S9 hits the store you better grab them asap!
7 local stores got them and they all sold them out within 3 days. Some store did not even last day!
I was lucky enough to get some here and ther and collected 1 case. 
Good luck! | | | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts:12497
| | 09/04/2003 12:41 AM |
| | & a 5. | | | |
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DdB
Barrel Filler
Posts:1452
| | 09/04/2003 4:34 AM |
| Glad I have some on reserve | | | |
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Joseph Bembry
Wine Lover
Posts:4875
| | 09/04/2003 10:53 AM |
| I know there is a bit of a feeding frenzy on this wine. I will try to secure some if the opportunity presents itself, but I won't die if I come up empty. There are tons of wines out there and I seem to be less enamored with the Marquis offerings every time I try them. I will be flipping my last bottle of '01 Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz. Tried it twice and it is not a 96 pt wine.
jb | | | |
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Landshark
Barrel Racker
Posts:1894
| | 09/05/2003 2:36 PM |
| | Big local store out here sold out in one day. | | | |
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ojeffso
warren, new jersey
Wine Lover
Posts:4877
| | 09/05/2003 9:25 PM |
| | jb-i agree with you about the henry's drive reserve, but the 2002 9 was the real deal. hard to believe parker rated them the same. as a disclaimer, i tasted the 9 with dan philips. | | | |
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Stefania Wine
San Jose, CA
Grape Puncher
Posts:725
| | 09/18/2003 10:23 PM |
| | Put me in the very lonely "counter" group. I thought it was over the top and obvious. The Pam Anderson of Aussie Shiraz would be my call. | |
Paul Romero - Owner/Winemaker Stefania Wine
www.stefaniawine.com | |
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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4990
| | 09/18/2003 11:38 PM |
| Hey, Pam Anderson is great to look at even if you can't hold a conversation with her.
Same goes for the #9 in my opinion. It IS over the top and it IS obvious..... That's why I like it.... I just won't and don't expect any type of balance or complexity from it.
Don't get me wrong though... I love a much more balanced wine as well and can spend hours on a single wine trying to discern every noticeable nuance it has.
Some people like one or the other, I like both. | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4990
| | 09/18/2003 11:40 PM |
| | tlily, looking at your Avatar I'd think you liked Pam Anderson as well! hehehehe | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts:12891
| | 09/19/2003 12:24 AM |
| rev,
i'm with you. there is nothing wrong with also liking over the top fruit bombs as well. there is room on my palate for all types. | | | |
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Budman
Master of Wine
Posts:11876
| | 09/19/2003 12:41 AM |
| Let's hear it for diversity!!!
If all wines tasted the same, or even similar... we wouldn't be here.
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10796
| | 09/19/2003 1:17 AM |
| | From the female perspective - it take all types, even Pam Anderson. This happens to be one type that is fun to drink. | | | |
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Bradley Molzen
Bayonne, NJ
Wine Lover
Posts:4990
| | 09/19/2003 1:39 AM |
| | Winetex, that's very true. This has a high fun factor. A high swish factor too! | |
If you drink wine, you get smarter.... | |
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texaswino
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2184
| | 09/19/2003 5:57 PM |
| | What would be the best time to pop one of these in your opinion? I have three and I don't want to be premature....if you know what I mean, wink, wink. | | | |
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