Reva 06 vs Poker Face Dinner

Bistro Boheme
Tasted Friday, June 19, 2015 by canan with 364 views

Introduction

This dinner was set up to settle a score that we had been having in a small group.
Which is the better wine, the Alban Reva 2006 or the SQN Poker Face 2004.

Flight 1 (1 Note)

  • 1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 97 Points

    France, Champagne

    This is just an impressive wine. Lots of depth and personality. Has started to show some age with a touch of red apples but still seems to have a young and sharp acidity.
    A stunning wine!

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Flight 2 (1 Note)

  • 2012 Kongsgaard Chardonnay Kings Farm 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    High level of oak influence and seems to lack a lot of acidity. It does develop more flavors with more air but it is really mostly about the oak the first 45 min and it was impossible to determine that it was actually a chardonnay due to the clear lack of acidity. It did develop more Chardonnay flavors with more air but it would benefit of some more aging or even more decanting.
    Most likely tasted at the wrong time and it clearly needed a lot more air to get rid of some of the dense compact oak.

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Flight 3 (1 Note)

  • 2007 Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Lovely and fresh black/blueberry with a touch of vanilla and oak. Has also developed nice flavors of olive tapenade and smoked meat..
    A nicely well aged syrah that is a pleasure to drink.

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Flight 4 (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Alban Vineyards Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard 96 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

    Extracted and sweet blackberry fruit profile with lots of vanilla.
    Does not show any age in the flavors and is still all about the dense fruit.
    Still a lovely wine but it is, and will most likely continue to be a singular wine.

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  • 2004 Sine Qua Non Syrah Poker Face 98 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    I can't believe that I ran into this wine again for the third time in a year.
    It is consistent with my previous notes. Classic syrah with a lovely aged profile of bacon and smoked meat. There is still plenty of fruit and a huge balance.
    It remains a very impressive wine that I continue to adore!

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Closing

The conclusion was easy.. SQN Poker Face was the superior wine. Agreed by all.
The Reva 2006 has its charms but the Poker Face is at a completely different level :-)

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