NYC Sine Qua Non Dinner at Eleven Madison Park

My first offline was a lot of fun and a learning experience. Cheryl set up a great event and everything went smoothly. Disclaimer: I have no experience with writing tasting notes and these are being written from memory. By the end of the night, I was certainly getting palate fatigue in addition to all of the alcohol but I do remember each wine to some level. I would love to be able come back to the Grenache and Syrah on their own to fully appreciate and critique them.

• 1998 Gaston Chiquet Champagne Special Club Brut 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  Very enjoyable and smooth with a nice finish. I was getting refreshing citrus flavors. Great Champagne and a nice start to the evening. This is one I expect to be a crowd pleaser that I would seek out for a party.

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• NV Claude Genet Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut 89 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  This followed the Gaston Chiquet and was very different to me. I detected nutty, almond favors and it was a little tight but still complex. This was enjoyable but not exactly my favorite style in a Champagne.

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• 2006 Sine Qua Non Autrement Dit 93 Points

  USA, California

  I did not know what to expect from this and I have little experience with Rose. This exceeded my expectations and was fruity, refreshing, and full bodied with a nice finish. The alcohol on this was nicely hidden which was really impressive to me. I will seek this out to share with others as it was very fun to try. We had the name of this translated at the table but I do not remember what it was.

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• 2001 Sine Qua Non Chardonnay Mr. K The Noble Man 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  My first experience with a Mr. K and it was awesome. We had this with Fois Gras and it went well. The nose on this was almost smoky to me and reminded me of some of the "harsher" or less sweet dessert wines that I have tried and not liked but none of that was evident on the palate. Very sweet with complex flavors of honey and a good finish. I was left wanting much more once I finished my glass.

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• 2005 Sine Qua Non The Petition 91 Points

  USA, California

  This was the second time I have had this with the first being in the middle of a sinus infection so I could not really figure out if I liked it. It was much better this time around and is a good dry white that seemed less acidic than the first time but it was more full bodied and refreshing than I had expected. I could slightly detect the high alcohol and would err on keeping this on cooler side when drinking it (which is how it was served). Tropical fruit, a little butter and a medium finish.

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• 2003 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Omega 94 Points

  USA, Oregon, Yamhill County

  Nose of black cherries and blackberry. Very complex and balanced, long finish. The alcohol was not overbearing and this was a crowd pleaser.

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• 2005 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Over & Out

  USA, California

  This bottled seemed to be a little off. Not completely corked but the nose did have some wet newspaper to it. On the palate you could detect the fruit but there was something missing as the finish fell short. I would like to try this again to compare.

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• 2004 Sine Qua Non Into the Dark 97 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Dark red with a nose of blackberry and a little spice. Full bodied with a thick mouthfeel, this was very complex and balanced. I was tasting a lot of dark fruit and a little earth. Long finish. My favorite of the night.

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• 2005 Sine Qua Non Grenache Atlantis Fe2O3~2a, b & c 95 Points

  USA, California

  The nose on this was very intriguing and I was getting black pepper and spices along with lighter fruit than the Into The Dark. Palate was complex and spicy with a nice finish but it was a little tighter due to its age. I expect this to be awesome in a few years.

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• 1996 Sine Qua Non Against the Wall 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Nose of red fruit. This was "softest" red of the night to me (and the oldest) and very enjoyable. Complex, balanced, and smooth but not quite to the same "in your face" level as the younger reds which some will much prefer. Medium to long finish with some life left in it.

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• 2003 Sine Qua Non Syrah Papa 96 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  I felt slightly biased because I brought this bottle but tried to remain honest to myself. Decanted around 9 hours, the nose had some of the "bacon fat" characteristic that I really like. In the mouth the wine was silky, full bodied, and complex and in the end I got a little heat but there was still an impressive balance. Long finish and I hope to try this again.

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• 2005 Sine Qua Non Syrah Atlantis Fe2O3~1a, b & c 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Decanted about 9 hours. Nose of dark fruit and spices. In the mouth there was a plenty of complexity and it was well balanced with a long finish. I really enjoyed this but could not quite figure out how to write a note on it.

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• 2003 Sine Qua Non Chardonnay Mr. K The Noble Man 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  Nose was similar to what I expected to taste which was a lot of sweetness honey / apricots. This was not as complex as the 2001 but nonetheless it was very good. Thick with a good finish, you need to be a fan of very sweet dessert wines to like this.

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• 2003 Sine Qua Non Sémillon Mr. K The Straw Man 97 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley

  This was my favorite of the three Mr. K's of the night. Lighter in color than the Noble Man's, the nose not very strong but sweet of marmalade and honey. Complex, rich, thick but not too heavy and a long finish. Very enjoyable.

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My WOTN was the Into The Dark followed by the 2003 Strawman and Papa. I had fully expected for a Syrah to be my favorite but was (pleasantly) surprised when it was something else.