Half the bottle in fridge overnight held up very well. Slightly more dusty, savory, and more structure showing. I won’t bury this the way I did 50 and 82, but this can certainly develop with time.
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Rsmith,
I totally agree about #68 being smooth in 5 years. Very, very nice wine, but, not my very favorite.
After enjoying 6 bottles much tooooo soon. I marked my remaining 2 cases:
“Do not open until September 2024”
I think I can wait? So far, IMHO #68 always has benefited from a very long decant…
Cheers!
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2019 de Négoce Shiraz OG N.280 Centenarian Vines Lou Miranda "Winery Church" Block - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley (4/27/2023)
Splash decanted but needed a few hours to open up. Screw cap.
Nose is not giving much. Barely picking up rich red fruits with a hint of VA or alcohol. Palate is medium body with an absolute kiss of glycerin. Nice depth of red fruits, purple florals, and very very subtle meaty richness. Finish briefly shows some gentle acidity before giving way to the same deep red fruits, violets/lavender, hint of potting soil, and something medicinal/herbal. Tannins are lowish but consistent with syrah/shiraz.
Not impressed. Feels slightly disjointed but might smooth out with time. Restrained compared to some AUS shiraz.
88 for now, could improve with age. Putting in the fridge and will check in tomorrow. (88 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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I got really strong vanilla and blueberry with 280. Lacks acid, tannins, structure, and it tastes like cheap-o aussie Shiraz to me. I was just as unimpressed with it.
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@Cameron_Hughes its a good idea
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My experience with the Xavier wines is similar. I got a mixed case of the non CdP bottles when they went on sale. I was expecting them to be modern styled, big and fruity, and high octane, but the La Temperance especially, contrary to its name was anything but tempered. Pruny is right, and I couldn’t get past that. I gifted some bottles, which rarely happens. The L’Amoreaux and especially the L’Etoile were a bit more balanced, but still couldn’t love them as much as I wanted to. And I despise huge “body builder” oddly shaped bottles, and these are worst offenders, both the Rhone/Burgundy and Bordeaux shaped bottles in their line.
I thought the pendulum had swung the other way already towards fresher, more balanced styles. We even see that in Aussie and Bdx. But I guess there will always be late adopters. Too bad!
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Thanks both for your comments!! I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who had a bad experience with the Xavier wines…
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And sipping the Rose 317 as I post these comments… it’s excellent 
! But 313 is definitely the big winner among the 3 DN Rosé I’ve tried so far (313, 317, 320)
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Double Dip de Negoce night, OG Lot 174 2019 RRV Chardonnay: Down the middle style RRV Chard with nice mineral finish that is anything but short. All that for $10. Poured at Wine 30 (430PM) to start dinner preparation. Served OG N.17 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet with Rib Eye steak and Italian Sausage for dinner and Warriors game. Both wines outshined the Warriors effort. What should I open for a matinee Game 7??
Happy Friday,
Cheers, Tim
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Saved 3/4 of the bottle in the fridge. Palate was more fleshed out but your description is spot on. Tastes like cheap Aussie Shiraz. I have 5 more so I’ll inevitably find out if it improves.
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Don’t see how that is possible given the description: “Fabulously full and rich on the palate with deep extraction and palate staining focus that is beautifully balanced by a purple fruited beam of acidity that carries waves of succulence to a beautiful conclusion that last for minutes.” Guess I’ll continue to hold my sixer and hope, but w/o tannins or acid . . .
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My experience with syrah and shiraz is extensive and in my opinion they typically need 6-10 years to really hit their stride. 280 probably needs more time to show its stuff. I havent even taken delivery of mine from LTS yet because i didn’t expect it to be ready yet and the reviews seem to indicate that. 279, which i do have has been excellent for the price
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Good to know re 6-10 years. I have 279 as well and will crack one soon.
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2020 de Négoce Costières-de-Nîmes OG N. 314 GSM - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes (4/29/2023)
Decanted for 30min and back to bottle for an hour. 13.5 ABV, 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre.
Nose is interesting. Funky blackberry, violets, little bit of grilled meat. Palate is medium to medium-light body and just flows. Purple florals, barely ripe blackberry, subtle tart red berries, gentle beam acidity to keep things focused. Finish is rather long with tons of structure and rocky character showing. Purple tinged fruits ride on a wave of rocky mineral driven acid and tannins that stain the palate. Minimal oak influence here.
13.5 ABV and minimal oak? Sign me up! Cam describes "effortless extraction" and I wholeheartedly agree. Doesn't feel rich or heavy like some GSMs can be. This is fantastic--plenty of fruit and ripeness but solid nods to terroir. Great concentration without being heavy or overripe, retains tons of structure and energy.
Drinks beautifully with some air. Will certainly settle and flesh out more with another 1-2 years in bottle, but I hesitate to say wait because it is just delicious now. Easy 90-91 (90 points)
Posted from CellarTracker
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2nd night of de Negoce double dip:
Finished Lot 174 2019 RRV Chardonnay. Just as wonderful on 2nd night. Nice style, nothing to complain about for the deliciousness provided by $10.
Lot 372 2021 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir arrived today, Cameron noted it was READY to pop n pour. Pop the cork did not happen after a puff of gas, Okay get out the cork screw. Beautiful rose petal color in decanter. Some florals of rose and tea/earth on nose. Cherry, wild strawberry provide a smooth finish to this wine, hard to tell there’s any tannins at this point. Still needs bottle time, but this is a real winner. For all the new French oak, hard to tell this sat on that much oak. Those who enjoy Santa Barbara style PNs should be thrilled to have purchased this. I’d put this at 90 points now. I’ll wait until holiday season 2023 to open more.
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Has anyone received ship info on N.296 yet?
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Scott,
Yes got 296 week plus ago. Maybe it was your case?? j/k.
Cheers, Tim
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#240 tonight, first off bottle. Dull, not up to the usual standard. Glad I have plenty of spares, second bottle was great as always.
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Let’s face it, @Cameron_Hughes writes great prose, but it doesn’t always really represent what’s in the bottle.
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It probably is… hope you enjoy it!
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