Opened this one with pasta w/red sauce. We drank most of this the first night vacu-vined and I had the last glass the following night. I have never experienced a more dramatic change in a wine overnight.

1st Night

Wine had dark almost purple core, and a tight nose of smoke, graphite, spicy dark fruits. The mouth feel was firm with dark fruit & sour cherry flavors, a touch of anise and the finish was firm. The balance was good and we both enjoyed it, and the acid was good for the tomato based sauce. I rated this 89pts the first night.

2nd Night

Took the vacu-vin out and wow the aromas sprung from the bottle. Poured the glass and aromas of sweet fruit rose from the glass along with licorice and spicy vanilla scents. The mouth feel was lush, rich and round the edge was gone. The mouth was coated with sweet cherry, and spicy plum flavors along with red licorice and vanilla. The finish was long and mouth watering with the tannins in the background and just supporting the fruit. Darn I really wish I had waited or decanted this one. Would rate solid 92 pts, and recommend decanting or giving it a year or two in bottle. Excellent wine at $25.

(Edited to add sour cherry to night 1 notes missed it the first time)

We just had this wine last night. Weird, huh? I decanted it about 90 minutes before we got to the restaurant. By the time we drank it, it had been decanted for 2.5 hrs. Excellent concentration of fruit. Delicious wine, 91pts. I am on the lookout for more of this as I only have one bottle left.

jb

i will second jb's thoughts. this was an excellent wine, especially in its price range. i gave it a 91.

Glad I wasn't far off on rating from you guys. What about tasting notes, did you guys pick up on similar flavors and impressions? Since we all had this one recently just trying to judge my palate vs. yours. I do not have the most experience when it comes to quantity and quality of drinking/tasting so would like to see what you picke up on based on your experience. Actually I don't know if I should have said I don't drink quantity, should have said I do not try as many as you, I drink plenty just not the variety as I rarely open more than 1 bottle for the two of us in a night compared to many on the boards who seem to have a mini tasting everytime they drink.

calcabs: I have a solution. You are in Joisey. We are in Joisey. We do these Tasting very often. Time to join us...

Couldn't make the Tasting Dinner last night... But, the line-up sounded GREAT!!!

LCC- I hear you, thanks for the invite. I have wanted to attend one of the dinners you guys have had but haven't been able to swing it. We have a 2 month old at home, generally his worst time of the day is 7-10pm so taking him out right now is not a great option for the nerves may drive to drink but definitely diminishes the enjoyment. Going my self and leaving my wife home would probably not go over very well. So we'll have to see. Keep me posted of your events maybe if nothing else I can swing a trade, take a friend to the tasting and watch the baby while she goes out another night

Yes, join us. :-)

I third the motion.. great wine, great QPR.. my quick notes...

Very young, medium body (compared to all the hefty shiraz that night), bright acidity, sharp tannins, but got better with time... 91pts.

I do wish I could've kept it in the glass awhile longer. Alas, I have two in my cellar so I'll get the chance in a couple years.

I know. I have a 1 year old.

What is the Grape-variety for this?

70% Sangiovese 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

jb

J_B - just in case your still looking, I have a couple cases of the 99 left - just fyi.

MudPuppy- whats it selling for?

Damn, you all Yes, what is it Selling for?

I bought mine for $22. Mudpuppy, I will take a few bottles (2) if your price is close to that. I will call you next week.

jb

At that price, I'd be interested in a couple bottles.

Sorry for just getting back to you, I have it on sale for $22.99 a bottle.

Question (for those that tried it): Just picked up 4 bottles from the Great, Mud Puppy, here. Only 4 bottles. How long to Hold. Really do Not want to waste any of these. Thank You.

In comparing the one I've had recently to one this past September, I think it'll really come into itself in about another year. IMO

This is not a wine to cellar. Drink one now. I will buy some more and drink them all within 3 yrs.

jb

3 year life span. Noted.

And, this is playing out very well (as I am liking Sangios lately).

LCC - I wouldn't say you have to cellar although 1 or 2 years may help, but I think with this one you could get great results with decanting before pouring. I have a tendency to get home see whats being cooked open, pour and drink. Enjoyed this immediately with dinner, just had a huge improvement vacu-vined overnight. I will probably pick up a couple of more and drink within 12-24 months no need to wait.