2007 Contrarian Red Blend
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Tasting notes
Medium to deep garnet colored, the 2007 Contrarian Proprietary Red reveals compelling crushed blueberries, black plum preserves and cassis notes with touches of potpourri, balsamic, tobacco leaf, Chinese five spice and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, the firmly textured palate gives a great intensity of black fruit and earthy layers with a long, exotic spice-laced finish.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(14.5%): Bright medium ruby. Very ripe aromas of blackberry, blueberry, cassis, black cherry, licorice and mocha. Plush and fine-grained, showing a restrained sweetness and a sexy oak component that's effortlessly carried by the wine's deep dark fruit and violet flavors. Big, ripe tannins avoid dryness but nevertheless need patience. This rather thick blend displays an almost porty ripeness in the style of the vintage. The tannins saturate the front teeth.
(46% cabernet franc, 34% merlot and 20% cabernet sauvignon) Saturated, bright red-ruby. Wild aromas of plum, dark cherry, leather and meat; distinctly Old World in character. Then sweet, rich, sappy and very ripe, with good definition to the chewy flavors of redcurrant, chocolate and earth; low-toned in a position way. Can't quite match the Arise for lift but this is substantial and concentrated wine. Finishes with smooth but substantial building tannins.