Eric White   San Ramon, CA
 Advanced Sommelier
 Posts: 9425
 | | 09-03-2003 07:19 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. | | | 2008: the end of an error |
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Eric White   San Ramon, CA
 Advanced Sommelier
 Posts: 9425
 | | 09-03-2003 07:21 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. | | | 2008: the end of an error | |
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Bradley Molzen   VinoCellar.com Admin Bayonne, NJ
 Wine Connoisseur
 Posts: 5054
 | | 09-03-2003 07:22 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 08:34 PM |
| | ... I am also anxiously awaiting the 2002 here in NJ! | | | |
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TCK  
Barrel Filler
 Posts: 1279
 | | 09-03-2003 08:37 PM |
| add a third...
Ojeffso has me pumped about this one! | | | |
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Budman   Philly Suburbs
 VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
 Posts: 23630
 | | 09-03-2003 08:50 PM |
| ... and a fourth! | | | |
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rickym13   los angeles Wine Thief
 Posts: 2866
 | | 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: 12582
 | | 09-04-2003 12:41 AM |
| | & a 5. | | | |
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DdB  
Barrel Filler
 Posts: 1452
 | | 09-04-2003 04:34 AM |
| Glad I have some on reserve | | | |
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Joseph Bembry  
Advanced Sommelier
 Posts: 9423
 | | 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 02:36 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 09:25 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   VinoCellar.com Admin Bayonne, NJ
 Wine Connoisseur
 Posts: 5054
 | | 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   VinoCellar.com Admin Bayonne, NJ
 Wine Connoisseur
 Posts: 5054
 | | 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  
Grape Sorter
 Posts: 307
 | | 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   Philly Suburbs
 VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
 Posts: 23630
 | | 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: 11004
 | | 09-19-2003 01:17 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   VinoCellar.com Admin Bayonne, NJ
 Wine Connoisseur
 Posts: 5054
 | | 09-19-2003 01:39 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 05:57 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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