1999 Eclipse
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Tasting notes
The 1999 Eclipse (a blend of 66% Grenache and 34% Shiraz aged in American oak and bottled unfiltered) tips the scales at a hefty 14.9% alcohol. The wine has an opaque purple color as well as a fabulously sweet nose of blackberry and cassis liqueur interspersed with licorice, truffle, and vanillin. Full-bodied, heady, layered, ripe, pure, and sumptuous, it is a dazzling 1999 to drink over the next 15-16 years. P.S. Life is too short not to be drinking the wines of Drew Noon. Importer: Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Full bright ruby. Slightly high-toned aromas of blackberry, pepper and eucalyptus. Juicy and concentrated but tightly wound and a bit tart and green-edged, with strong acids currently dominating. Finishes with firm tannins. I noted last year that the '98 version also lacked give, but the earlier vintage began with denser underlying fruit.