Deep ruby red with slight garnet on the rim and a medium+ transparency. The nose is explosive, with intense red berries, ripe plums and herbal undertones. The palate is soft, supple and packed with the fruit flavors, ending with a distinct herbal finish. Great balance between the fruit and the structure. Very long persistence. Excellent wine, quite unique expression of the grenache grape.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Red berries, nice sweetness and the alcohol is well integrated. This feels younger than it is, but in order to shine, it should not be too warm, as with more air and warmer it was slightly less balanced than before. Still 10+ years in the tank.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Kleur: Diep donkerrood Aroma / bouquet: Ten opzichte van vier jaar geleden is het bouquet minder stuivend en explosief, maar niet minder indrukwekkend. Vooral gedroogd donker fruit, maar nog steeds (drinkbaarheidsindicatie Parker: tot 2019) primair fruit (bramen, zwartebessen, geconfijte kers / cerise). Zoete kruiden, zacht zoete drop. Smaak / Afdronk: Minder explosief, maar nog steeds een buitengewone concentratie en kracht. Zachte zuurgraad, boterzachte tannines. Briljante structuur. Droppig, beperkt filmend mondgevoel. Lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Dit is niet de eerste keer dat een Sine Qua Non veel langer optimaal blijft dan Wine Advocate inschat! Sine Qua Non is een klasse op zichzelf. Zoals ik in een andere proefnotitie heb gelezen: SQN is soms bijna een karikatuur, maar wat een grote klasse. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 14 + Smaak / Afdronk: 19 + Algemeen / potentieel: 9 = 97/100
Colour: Deep dark red Aroma / bouquet: Compared to four years ago, the bouquet is less dusty and explosive, but no less impressive. Mainly dried dark fruit, but still (Parker drinkability indication: until 2019) primary fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant, candied cherry / cerise). Sweet herbs, soft sweet licorice. Taste / Aftertaste: Less explosive, but still extraordinary concentration and power. Soft acidity, buttery tannins. Brilliant structure. Droppy, limited filming mouthfeel. Long finish. General / potential: This is not the first time that a Sine Qua Non lasts much longer than Wine Advocate estimates! Sine Qua Non is in a class of its own. As I read in another tasting note: SQN is almost a caricature at times, but what a great class. 50 + Colour: 5 + Aroma / Bouquet: 14 + Taste / Aftertaste: 19 + General / Potential: 9 = 97/100
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Coats Family Cellar Tasting (Wine Cellar): Mid to deep garnet, the wine has a prodigious bouquet of sweet fruit, violet, ripe black plums, cold tea, ginger/galangal (Thai stir fry!) and raspberry compote. There is an element of Syrah in here, yet it is 100% Grenache. Incredibly lifted. A sweet entry with a grippy texture thesis a brightness of the New World fruit and absence of savoury nuances. The flavours are cold tea, molasses, mineral, handfuls of softened sweet blackberry and raspberry, wet earth and a touch of cayenne pepper. The mid-palate combines an edgy stony texture with brown sugar crystals. Excellent concentration with the tannins keeping to that shapeless feel of Grenache. The finish has a little more mineral firmness but is softened by warm glycerol and forest fruit jam with that little bit of syrup. Amazing intensity and long length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
One hour decant. Deep dark color, no browning. Nose of dark and some red fruits, smoke, oak. Full bodied with a smooth mouthfeel, mollified but still present sweet tannins. More ofthe nose on the palate with some secondary notes. Balanced, well made,civilized and very enjoyable overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened two hours prior to dinner, the cork broke and I decanted through a vinturi then poured back into the bottle and took to my club for a holiday BBQ. It took a while to open. The nose was dark berries, cherry, plum and a hint of spice and mocha. The finish was long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for one hour. Nose of black raspberry, black cherry, mocha, red licorice, bramble and dried herbs. Black raspberry cream liquor, black cherry, red licorice, mocha, bramble and spice on the palate. Excellent depth with a very long, layered finish. Full bodied. Served with reverse seared filet mignon and a Diane sauce.
Dark and concentrated. This has intense notes of blackberry and smoke. Smooth core of fruit with some tannins still unresolved. Very well made wine drinking at peak with some years to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking great but from reviews had expected a big more umph. IMHO, not quite in the same league as my favorite examples of Gigondas (eg Domaine des Bosquets La Colline), which go for a fraction the price of SQN. Still... very delicious and paired extremely well with squab and steak courses at Manresa.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Open for business from the get go. Ethereal wine. Tremendous balance on the palate with just the right amount of fruit pop. Showing no age. Perfect drinking window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Wine Group Picnic at Steve's: PnP - Wow! What an awesome wine and right in my wheelhouse! The best wine of the tasting, that I tasted! Nose was full of perfumed flower, dark fruit and tertiary flavors that. included smoked meat, tobacco and cedar, with shades of sweet toasted oak. What really set this wine apart was the silky mouthfeel that accompanied the rainbow of flavors. This was already my favorite wine, but almost rose to another level when paired with a smoked brisket. Wish I had some of this in my cellar! Just awesome! Got even better with time.
deep purple red color, soaring nose of dreamy cherries and blueberry foam, on the palate decadently spicy with deep and dark licorice-coated fruits, a very firm structure holds it all brilliantly in place, racy long finish with just a bit of warmth on the very tail end, AFWE as I am- somehow I always find I enjoy SQNs- especially when served among their more traditional brethren as was the case tonight, they are big and at times seem almost caricatures, but even the whimsical can be elevated to greatness in the right hands and with the right mindset, I enjoyed this very much and it added a great and unique dimension to the evening.
****, ready to go and time in hand
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lying in wait for 11 years, bottle opens with a more delicate bouquet than usual for this powerhouse cult producer. Rose, berries, chassis, charcoal whiff from the bottle. In the glass still a healthy garnet, vital and strong. On the palette plum, honey, sandalwood, roasted meat and spices dance around your tongue with a finish that is just just right for the strength of the wine. Perfect with steak (Wolfgangs bday dinner) and towards hot fudge sundae for dessert, it was a little rougher round the edges: murky, I’ve seen this distinguish the Estate wines from non Estate releases. Kept a quarter bottle to taste the day after. First SQN of the year and highly satisfying.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I thought this was surprisingly unbalanced as you could feel the alcohol burn a bit. Better on the nose than on the palate. Had higher expectations....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking well. Drank in Dad's honor. Far from a fruit bomb, this stuff is restrained and elegant and I thought it paired better with thanksgiving than did the 08 Aubert Pinot magnum, though others disagreed
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little disappointed I must say. Decanted for an hour an then drunk over 2 hours this wine was open, but not as smooth as expected. The finish in particular was disappointing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
93-94: intense, black fruit dominated, spicy, earthy, and of course ripe, with chewy tannins and finish that goes on and on. Not the most closed down SQN I've ever had, but it has some time to peak still. These wines are a thing unto themselves.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is the first SQN i had some years ago. Now it has matured. Beautiful wine. Actually I composed a tune called; Turn the whole thing upside down. https://open.spotify.com/track/4uWqGvvuwwQ1qMmpOdwGOe?si=OOMTS4f0TbeBAufXMe2R4A
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had with ribs that had a bit of a kick and the big fruit and peppery quality of the wine made a terrific match. I'd say the wine was just approaching it's top drinking widow and will be there in another couple of years, but with a short decant and some flavorful food, it's great right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ski trip - Three wino familes; 2/14/2020-2/17/2020 (Wisp Resort): Expressive nose displaying ripe black fruit, blackberry liqueur, blueberry pie, cherry jam, a hint of fruit cake, lavender, sweet spices, smoked meat and mineral. Excellent concentration, concentrated very ripe blue fruit, unctuous, good acidity and mineral, and a long sweet black fruit driven finish. For my palate, too much ripe fruit. Still needs time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was extremely concentrated with spicy red fruit, tar and smoke. Dense tannins. This was briefly decanted, but could have used at least another hour or two of air. Medium to long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for one hour. Nose of raspberry, cherry, bramble, vanilla and spice. Black and red fruit, licorice, vanilla, underbrush, spice and ripe tannins on the palate. Very long finish with good depth. Full bodied. Served with filet Béarnaise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Followed over about four hours.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of coffee, roasted meat, red cherry and white pepper. Flavors of red raspberries, red boysenberries and plums. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped and decanted 2 hours. Drank over 2 hours. Have had a lot of great (and mostly young) SQNs in the last 18 months. We bought this years ago and cellared. Pulled it for our 10th wedding anniversary. This is no slouch, it's just not up to the incredibly lofty standards of most SQN. I often feel that these wines need up to 10 years to get into a full zone, but maybe this would have been better earlier in its career. if you have one, wouldn't wait too much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
SQN & BBQ (The Krengels - Bannockburn IL): Small glass, brief note from memory. Very ripe and powerful, but still bright and near balanced. Very long and vibrant finish. So good now, also with upside. I haven't had this since shortly after release, and it continues to be impressive.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Enjoyed greatly (more than other bottle 3+ years ago - I think this has hit its zone).
Not taking a detailed note - simply very well balanced, inviting and warm mouthfeel, medium body but big presence and bright. Everything dialed up. Bright cherry and cracked pepper.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A little cloudy ruby color with long glycerine legs. Elegantly perfumed, with cool blue fruit, raspberry, and even some pencil lead on the nose. Jam packed with rhubarb confit, ripe red fruits like a young CNDP. This is still firing away, the alcohol doesn’t feel like 15.6%, but I’m not sure it gets better before the component parts start to diverge. Drink now and over the next 3-5
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another SQN triumph. Hugely extracted and an incredibly nose of intense jammy fruit when decanted. It was as good as I remember from last time out. It is the power that Krankl gets out of the grapes that amazes me. It is a knockout wine. A slap across the cheeks from the huge dark fruits on the palate. Amazing once again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I always prefer Syrah over Grenache, and that’s no different with SQN wines, but Manfred’s take on Grenache is spell binding to me. Pepperd strip, teriyaki, and spicy red fruit on the nose. Incredibly aromatic (as expected). 9yrs of age have taken this from brooding to densely, but elegant packed on the palate. Black pepper covered rhubarb pie and black cherry notes dominate the mid palate with a muddled cherry finish. I had this same wine about two weeks ago and thought this was a hair better...main difference was serving temp (this was served just above cellar temp).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine is big. But, admittedly the Syrahs from this year seem to outdo the Grenaches by a hair or two. This wine has a slight hint of truffle on the nose, but is more red fruit dominated. Extracted. Smooth entry, very rounded edges. Some herbal notes on the middle. Smooth finish. Just enough acidity. This wine deserves a table of its own, but was enjoyed alongside about 14 other bottles today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Rancid nose, with a hint of latrine. Luxurious palate with a hint of velvet lemon pepper. Odd. Drink at the Mad Hatters Tea Party. Have a glass but then give him and his crazy circus mirror guests the rest of the bottle ... and watch.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sturdy nose of spiced candlewax. On the palate, mellow and beautifully balanced. Surprisingly light body. Long finish of sorrel, fresh tomato, and prune. After 90 minutes brett started to appear so this may be an atypical bottle. Still quite enjoyable but not hedonistic by any means.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Kleur: Diep donkerrood Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Bedwelmend bouquet. Donker fruit, boordevol bramen en zwarte bessen. Laurierblad. Zoete kruidigheid. Een vleug mint. Smaak / Afdronk: Een explosie van smaak, ultieme concentratie. Fris zure start met accenten van menthol. Krachtige, mooi gerijpte, tannines, droppig, een hint van laurier, prettig bittertje. Ondanks 15,6% alcohol domineert de alcohol niet. Super krachtig, geweldig in balans. Indrukwekkend lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Briljante Grenache zoals alleen Manfred Krankl die kan maken. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 14 + Smaak / Afdronk: 19 + Algemeen / potentieel: 9 = 97/100
Google Translate:
Color: Deep dark red Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Stunning bouquet. Dark fruit, full of blackberries and black currants. Bay leaf. Sweet spiciness. A hint of mint. Taste / Finish: An explosion of taste, ultimate concentration. Fresh sour start with menthol accents. Powerful, nicely ripened, tannins, droppy, a hint of laurel, nice bitter. Despite 15.6% alcohol, the alcohol does not dominate. Super powerful, great in balance. Impressively long aftertaste. General / potential: Brilliant Grenache as only Manfred Krankl can make. 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 14 + Taste / Finish: 19 + General / potential: 9 = 97/100
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
First time drinking SQN. It’s been a bucket list wine of mine and I bought a bottle to share with a friend over a stunning porterhouse. At this level of winemaking and price it should be about two things - intensity or finesse. My two favourite wines are at either ends of the spectrum. I adore Pinot - especially the elegance of Chambolle or the finesse (and power) of Vosne Romanee. I also adore Rhone wines. Grenache in particular. I don’t want elegance here. I want intensity. This wine gives me that in abundance. I can still taste it two hours later - after having had an espresso. This is precision and power par excellence. I wondered if the hype could be realised. It is a simply stunning wine with the most powerful nose I have encountered. A huge powder keg of jammy black fruit. The tannins are wonderful and the finish is long and refined. This is winemaking at a level seldom seem. Yes this is hyperbole, but IMO, well deserved.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Grenache with Panache (New York, NY): Last wine sampled and palate fatigue had set in at this point so minimal notes. I had a hard time distinguishing this from the previous two SQNs ('05 Upside Down & '06 Raven). It seemed very young and primary and would probably hold off opening these for at least another five years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Grenache with Panache (Friends apt): Very pretty fruit and lots of violets and an intenseness to it that is just classic SQN. Also a young wine that was opened and decanted for prob 2.5 hours before pouring and really would benefit from a lot more years. Really great though.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Aromatic nose of raspberry, blackberry, garrigue and chocolate. Blackberry purée, coffee, dried herbs and soft oaky tannins on the palate. Leads to a very long finish. Full bodied with waves of flavor. Served with grilled cowboy steaks and a blue cheese, black truffle butter.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
We gave it a two hour decant, which was about right. Dark purple color with dark red fruit, black plum and baking spice on the nose. Very rich in texture and full-bodied, probably coming from the syrah. Flavors of luxardo cherry, dark raspberry, graphite and dried herbs. This wine is outstanding and a real treat to drink. Be sure to cool it to about 65 degrees to tame the 15% alcohol and allow it to show best. We served it with grilled tri-tip, rosemary fingerling potatoes and fresh roasted beets topped with feta. All these flavors worked well with the SQN. Thanks Larry!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drank for birthday season celebration. Wonderfully paired with grilled pork tenderloin in a cilantro and cherry topping. This might be about as good as Grenache gets for me. Silky smooth, wonderful red fruit flavors, great structure, nothing overdone and all components in great balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cinnamon, coffee, chocolate, pepper, black raspberry, blackberry, black olive, touch of meat and leather. In love. It's SQN. It never disappoints. Automatically amazing. Tannins have softened. Can I built a fort made of this stuff and live there?
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was drank with a short 10 minute decanting and it was clear and a very youthful deep purple in colour. There was a strong amount of dark cherries on the nose and in the glass. I also found a good amount of chocolate flavours. The wine had a strong amount of both acidity and tannins so I assume that this wine still has many good years ahead of it.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sat open in bottle for 6 hours. As others have written this balances the heat and heavy fruit very well and was very easy to drink. Not sure worth the price, can accomplish this at half the price I think. That said this is fun to drink.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Blockbuster. Huge aromas and rich flavors, explosive palate with amazing balance for a big wine like this. Just hitting its stride, and should go another decade or so. Still enjoying the long finish two days later (at least in my head)!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
True to the name decided to turn the whole thing upside down and serve as a dessert wine in port glasses. Very rich wine, akin to amarone, pairs very well with chocolate. I cannot conceive of drinking more than a few ounces of this heavy and alcoholic wine, but I did enjoy it as it was served.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cranberry, stewed strawberry fruit. Silky smooth, but possessing enough underlying acidity to keep this from being flabby. The balance in this is what makes SQN special, and keeps it a level beyond most California fruit bombs. One of our red wines of the year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Random Tuesday night (Tipsy Tuesday?) (Riverpark): Awesome awesome wine. My WOTN (but those who have read my notes in the past are prob not surprised). This was sweet and candied and herbal and strawberry and while it's a wine that you can sip by itself the lamb seemed to bring out whole new side of it. I very much enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This could have used a few more years of bottle time, but in lieu of that it could have used a few more hours of decanter time. It was decanted and first tasted about half an hour later, but when it was finished about four hours later it was just really starting to open up. The aromas started showing fruit after an hour or so, opening up in a way that hinted what flavors would follow a few hours later. On the palate, at the 3-4 hour point, the dusty earthy notes were starting to show more dry berry notes, with just a hint of lushness. Still, a very tasty and enjoyable wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very dark core. Blue and dark fruit, liquorice, charred wood, stewed cherries on the nose - slightly porty. Sweet and rich on the palate, very concentrated fruit notes. There is no lack of acidity, the tannins are round and ripe, there is vibrance and complexity, but it is just a bit too big for my taste. Very long. Drink or hold. 91-93
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent balance, smokey,blueberries, black pepper, a little mocha, some green sappiness. Complex and ever changing. Was the sweetest out of the three wines this night, but not in a bad way. The tannins are silky and seamless .
This seems like it's in prime drinking window. Fantastic wine. Definitely new world Grenache, which can sometimes be a good thing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of pepper, licorice, roses and red berries. Flavors of berries, Bing cherries, raspberries and and earthy finish. Medium acidity, firm tannin, full bodied. Drink with air or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color is brilliant ruby, and hazy with dense color and opaque. The aromatics are plush, floral, crushed red fruit, blueberry, chocolate, and cranberry. The tastes are spicy notes, strawberry, tea, dark chocolate, minerality, and herbal earthy notes. The finish is long and light with nice secondary flavors enmeshed with berry fruity flavors. Complex and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
first experience with an SQN red. thick, full, big but remarkably balanced. 350-lb ex-lineman dancing in a tux. faint touch of smoke on the nose, currant, plum, blueberry and raspberry palate. again, very full but there's something that's settling, comforting, gentle. with time, the currant flavor element gets to be a bit sweet for me. a bit of sweetness?
a couple hours open and this shifts from 'whoa, uh-oh I might really need to get all SQN i can' - which would be impossible anyway and bad news for my budget - to, 'glad I got the chance to try this, I'm still very curious and if I had the chance to buy at release price I absolutely would.' which means I liked it, a lot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Loads of Blueberry. Still getting fair amount of alcohol which dominates. Paired with steak at Quality Meat...still overpowered the food but the length went on this the score.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop n' pour and then drank over ~4 hours. Dense yet perfumed aromatic of raspberry jam, herbs, exotic spice, cracked pepper, creme and a light tar note. Palate has medium-to-full body and is concentrated but not at all over the top. Acidic frame provides lift and precision to the fruit. No heat even as the wine warms up over 4 hours from cellar temp. Fresh, lingering finish. Nobody does central coast Rhones better.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was a great bottle of SQN that is drinking well with an hour of decanting. The SQN syrahs have always been my favorite but this one was just as good as many of the syrahs. Loved it. A long life ahead of it in my estimation.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Memphis SQN Dinner (Erling Jensen, Memphis, TN): Decanted about five hours and allowed to breathe in bottle for another two+. Notes of candied red plum, spice and florals. Full-bodied with a wealth of red fruit to go along with spice, earth, blueberry and oak. Give this one some time.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I'm beginning to recognize that I prefer the SQN Grenache over Syrah. I find them to be a bit more balanced and this bottle was no exception. This was an impressive bottle in every way, but will become better with age as its a little too big for its britches in the current state. Extreamly full bodied with loads of dark cherry and blue berry pie with a significant oak presence. Opulent, chewy texture with smokey notes joining the party into the very long finish. I hope I get the chance to taste this in 10 to 15 years. It is an outstanding bottle now, but will be dynamite with some maturity. 9-19-9-9
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was drank at home with no decanting. The wine was slightly cloudy and garnet red in colour. I keep meaning to decant SQN wines but sometimes a quick decision to drink one precludes this and tonight this wine suffered slightly. With a nose of cherries and some chocolate and flavours of the same but some dark grapes as well this wine needed some time to take the sour edges off it. The tannins were at a good level but the acidity was a bit strong for my liking. Still, overall a good bottle that deserved a better fate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and poured. In a very good place, showing plenty of rich creamy dense dark blackberry and kirsch quality. Smooth, long, and well balanced. Alcohol does peak out a bit in the mid-palate, but overall, a wonderful drink.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pop and pour, that tell tail nose is inviting me in. First sip, the fruit gets pushed aside by the black pepper, than rises up again. Tannins are brisk but fade quickly leaving your palate sweating for more. Another sip and the black pepper has been bound up in leather. The black cherries are laced with tar but its a distant taste. Very dry and earthly, glad I have more.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really like the way this has been taking off lately - only will get better and better with more time. Would have benefited from 3-4 hrs of air at least as the last glass was by far the best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A beautiful, excellent wine, but not mind-blowing like many other SQN's that I've had. I may have opened it too young and done a disservice by not decanting it. SQN always gets better with age, and I usually give it a little more time in the bottle before opening. (I've been working on my Atlantis and Raven recently.) While it was velvety, seamless and delicious, it didn't wow me to the point where it was paradigm shifting and I had to recalibrate my expectations on how good wine can be. And, while Grenache can be one of the most beautiful varieties when done right, the Grenache didn't shine in this blend. I didn't get as much of the herbs and fresh farmers market bounty I get from some of the best Grenaches. Some of us suspected maybe a higher percentage of Syrah in the mix, and I didn't detect any Viognier which I love in some of Manfred's blends. In any case, thoroughly enjoyable, if not otherworldly or as distinctive as other SQN's I've had.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The clear wine was garnet red in colour. It was drank at home over a six week period using the Corvin system and there was no discernible difference between the first and last glass. Quite a lot of red cherries on the nose and in the glass with a mid level amount of peppery spices. It was still quite "hot" due to the alcohol content and the tannins were still a bit strong for my liking at this point. I believe that these bottles still have some good amount of aging in front of them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
'Farewell Jason' Long Lunch (Hong Kong Wine Vaults, Aberdeen, Hong Kong): Translucent purple, with a touch of red. Nose is very pure high-toned blackberry and black plum fruit, some clean funk, fried bacon. Palate is surprisingly silky smooth, like plush new velvet, tons of red and black plum fruit, very clean and carries its alcohol well. But too much like fruit juice for my taste. Big and blowzy and very primary. My first SQN and something of a letdown. Completely outclassed by most of the wines today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Most generously opened by Allred at Anvil for April's birthday. Second time I've had this wine in the last two years, and it is improving. Still primal with red fruits and spice, but coming together nicely. Paired very well with Korean spiced lamb chops. A real treat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped & poured with the Korean spiced lamb chops for Miss TLV's birthday dinner. Aromas of vanilla, cherry, kirsch and dried herbs. Kirsch, pepper, cherry and black raspberry liqueur flavors on the palate. Long, juicy finish dominated by red fruit and spice flavors.
I wanted to open a contrasting wine to TLV's '90 HHS- something with bold, exuberant fruit to play off the spice on the lamb, and this did not disappoint. A fun alternative to the very different, very classic, very enjoyable HSS.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was drank at the FWR with a friend and his wine group. We decanted it for approxiamtely 90 minutes and chilled it down slightly over time. It was clear and a deep purple in colour with a nose that included red berries and a touch of chocolate. Those same characteristics were tasted in the glass and the wine had nice levels of tannins and acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was just completely off. Porcini, apricot, peach, botrytis, like an Austrian sweet wine... Very weird and different from previous notes, let's see where this one is headed...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still very young. Very 'French', elegant CdP style of Grenache. Herbs, cherry, creme de cassis, lots of minerals, great wine with lots and lots of potential.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still needs a lot of air to open up and show the signature SQN notes. Raspberries and cherries, some minerals with a very nice length. This is really nice but still too young...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Still needs a lot of air to open up and show the signature SQN notes. Raspberries and cherries, some minerals with a very nice length. This is really nice but still too young...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color: purple Nose: ripe red fruits, very nice, elegant
Palate: wow! Sweet core, dark red fruits, perfect balance, very long, very elegant, now I get what the fuss is about, sine qua non rocks! A Grenache dominated Wine with, 84% Grenache, lots of layers, 15.7% alc but doesn't show, still 5-7 yrs for maturity
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was drank at a local restaurant after 45 minutes of decanting. Tonight, this very slightly cloudy wine was showing really well. It was ruby red in colour with a nose of candied cherries. In the glass was cherries as well as a ton of caramel and vanilla. Both the acidity and tannins were in very good balance and although the alcohol level of this wine is quite high, you wouldn't know it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose is like a warm muffen, color is typical dark blackish red, First sip, touch of cherry fly by, lots of rich fruit all wrapped up in dusty tannin. Second sip, yumm, love the ballance, like cool water, palate feel reminds me of the best Grand Cru Burgs
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark red/purple. Effusive forward nose of red fruits, spice. Full body, layered lush red fruits, good balance, fruit covers the alcohol well, long finish, outstanding.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lots and lots of red and blue fruits, spices and herbs. Really a flavor explosion on the palate. Just the tiniest but of heat. Young and exhuberant, enough acid to pull it all together. Great stuff.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ripe raspberry, incense, musk, kirsch and river rock. The fine tannins and echoing finish is encompassing on all levels. There's an alluvial element during the aftertaste. A refined Grenache from Manfred that is very focused. Drink 2015 - 2023.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
this bottle relly sang today. color of a nice dark rather opaque purple. nose jumps from glass with ripe red fruit, no heat but a fullness to the nose. exotic incense and some semi sweet licorice. the mouthfeel is terrific. first a nice coating of lush red fruit. then red fruits, flower petals, bright spiciness (not too earthy or dull) and sweet round tannins make for a near perfect mid palate. the finish tapers a bit but still nice and long with just a touch of heat to finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
A heck of a Monday Night in Cleveland (E. 4th street): This also seemed a bit young and in need of time. Raspberries, some kirsch, a bit of pepper on the nose. Full bodied. Great texture which bodes well for development. On the palate, this is up front and has some varietal complexity. Mostly red fruits but some darker elements. Lots of room for this to improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent wine. Had a lot of alcohol heat in it, but decanted for 6 hours before serving. Lots of briery fruit with great structure and a lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sine Qua Non Dinner, volume II (Maloney & Porcelli, NYC): well balanced. red and black fruit profile. a tiny bit of heat shows through on the midpalate, but the alcohol is surprisingly not invasive. long way to go. impressive on day 2.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Amazing nose of charred beef, chocolate, mouthwatering dark berries, and some black pepper. The palate explodes in a kaleidoscope of flavors. Chocolate, cinnamon, game meats, blackberries, raspberries, vanilla were all mentioned on the table someone even said coconut. Ever changing though it did not last long. Smooth, sweet, gorgeous finish. Up there with into the dark for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
With a blast of fresh brewed espresso, licorice, blackberry, blueberry, fudge, cherries and jam, the wine is sweet, plush, voluptuous and showy. If you like your wines on the young side, and I often do, especially when it comes to fruit forward styles of wine, this blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5 % Mourvedre is drinking great today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The previous poster was right on about the wine it's drinking great. A two hour decant was just about right for this bottle. I never would have picked this blind as a grenache that's for sure but it was very tasty none the less. Happy to have a few of these left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine was caugth at the perfect time... Aromas of smoke, sweet dark cherries, roast meat and spices. The wine is full bodied with copious amounts of juicy dark red and black fruit, good structure, toasty but well integrated oak, soft tannins and good length. Drinking beautifully now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I drank this at home over the course of 3 hours. Very deep purple in colour with a nose of cherries,chocolate and some tobacco. The bouquet was also quite heavy on alcohol when the bottle was opened. This wine really does need some decanting time as the first glass was good but nothing spectacular. This all changed after approximately one hour when the alcohol settled down to reveal an abundance of cherry flavour and some pepper. Tonight, this bottle was a bit spicier than I remember.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
While tasting this wine a discussion broke out about how accessible this is today yet how long it will last. Huge, fruit driven, primary and juicy but really fun to drink. I had it after a bevy of outstanding old Rhone wines and so it almost hurt my mouth but, still, Manfred does well! Iron, hot asphalt, minerals, plums and a touch of aromatic herbs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Occasional group: Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 (By PZ @ Bottles): No really descriptive and detailed notes, but nevertheless not a wine to skip. The bouquet is concentrated and almost powdery, On the palate the same. Very soft and sweet, but also elegance. Is this wine porn? Ready and tempting now and for several years to come. 96+++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
I felt this bottle was the further away from cdp tham any other sine qua no grenache i have ever tasted, sweeter with loads of overly sweet nearly artifical fruit notes also in the palate. I dont seem to be able to warm up to this wine... I do like it but i am for sure not crazy about it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This bottle was drank immediately after opening. The wine was not overly deep in colour and the nose was not very strong due to the fact that it was pulled from a chilled cellar. Quite nice on the palate with lots of cherries and just the right amount of vanilla. This was also very light on the acidity and oak. The tannins were minimal as well. I have half a glass left and i'm curious to see how it develops over the next 24 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted for 5 hours; An extremely perfumed nose of lavender, port must, black cherry and macerated blackberry. Rich dark fruits on the palate, there's a vibrancy and saturation that's in tension here...this is very primal, with black cherry and chocolate following. Needs to evolve a bit more, for me, I'll wait 3-4 more years before opening another bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Licorice, black cherry, earth, spice, vanilla and smoke scents open to a rich, soft, polished, full bodied, plush wine that can be enjoyed today. Produced from a blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre, drink this now or age it for a few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This wine really is 'upside down'. Massive, one dimensional heat bomb. It sears the gullet going down. No nose. Nothing but jam on the palate. I don't find anything typical of Grenache here. I don't ever see this wine improving, the raw materials are not there. The recent SQNs have really been disappointing. I don't understand AG's score.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened by Allred at CDP. Lots of red fruit and a bit of pepper. Tasted early upon opening, and it was gone by the time I got back to it. Probably one of the first to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sine Qua Non the Cult of Cults; 10/10/2012-10/11/2012 (Roberson Wine, South Ken, London & The Square, London): Deep, dark, glossy in colour. Ripe, sweet fruit notes on the nose exuberant and youthful. On the palate you feel the youth , quite a bit of tannin and a bit of heat on the finish. For sure can be enjoyed at the moment but really we would prefer to wait especially after trying the 2007 pictures Grenache a few wines later. At the moment if feel a touch one dimensional but this is Grenache at the hands of SQN and no doubt given time it will evolve nicely. 92ish at the moment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A taste of SQN (Roberson, Kensington, London): Not so dark, the nose less exuberant, sweet blackberry fruit, tannic. Not a patch on the TOSC, but then I much prefer syrah to grenache.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Infanticide!!! (Publican, Chicago IL): nose: this was very ripe as well, but more pure and balanced with big tones of dark red cherries, red fruits, red berries, red florals and red currants. Very good depth with layering as well.
taste: full bodied with rich, ripe, and pure tones of dark red cherries, red fruits, red currants, and red berry tones. There are good tannins to this with great depth and layering.
overall: Getting to have this twice in a month is very nice. I was fortunate to be able to spend more time with this one than previous. This is a great example of how to do a ripe style right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
The "Open a Bottle That Shouldn't Be Opened" Offline (The Publican - Chicago, IL): Pop and pour. Enjoyed this a good deal. Definitely a powerful and ripe wine - two descriptors that I usually don't associate with wines I like - that displayed nice balance and energy on the palate. The palate was exotic with nice blackberry, plum, spice and beef notes. Big and powerful, yet even for this AFWE I can find things to like here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
little disappointed with this bottle. color lighter than previous bottles. nose is big however. nice dark red and black fruits. oaky caramel with dark cherry. nice feminine smokiness on the nose. the palate however does not completely follow tonight. rather thin on the tongue and a bit thin/hollow on the palate. some nice character here with fruits, spice, oaky vanilla and smokiness. nice balance of masculine and feminine. disappointed with this finish. just not quite there, and lacking; too short.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is an amazing bottle. Tasted at SQN wine dinner with 7 others from 2003-2009. Though this was young, it held its own. Definitely needs more time. We purchased a bottle and can't see opening it before 2017. Graphite and anise notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Brunellos 15+ years and older (Moderno, Highland Park IL): nose: obviously very very different from the 15+ year old brunellos that were served previous. Big and rich with ripe tones of red fruits, red and dark berries, dark red cherries, and various spice tones. Good depth with a very forward style to it.
taste: full bodied with big and chewy tannins. Rich, but not overdone on the palate with ripe tones of red fruits, dark berries and dark red cherries, and spice tones. There is some layering right now, but it's extremely young.
overall: this was given to me blind from a tasting in the next room. It wasn't as big as some SQNs that I've had in the past, but it was certainly a warm climate new world grenache to me. I don't know how long it had been open for or how long it had been decanted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Opened at 11pm the night before, poured 20h later. Slightly medicinal nose, but in that good way: not at all off-putting. Purple. Big wine, especially considering the time open and the varietal. 8th wine I/we've tasted today so sure, I'm getting a little dulled but, this is delicious without being overly remarkable. Herbs and licorice on the palate. A touch hot but wears its 15.6% pretty well. Med-plus finish. I continue to be impressed how young some of these SQN Syrahs and Grenaches can actually be drunk - but still don't see any rush to do so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
non blind. no formal notes taken at guys night on the patio. love the color on this - almost effervescent. nose if full of ripe dark fruits and spices. a little bit of sweet "ashiness" - not ash tray but rather like incense ashes. mouth is medium feel and not hot at all. just kind of surrounds the tongue and coats the palate - but not cloying at all. there were darker fruits here with floral and spice in the background. nicely balanced. finish is seamless and lingers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Goodbye Dinner for Gabriel's Restaurant (Gabriel's - Highwood IL): Very ripe black fruit with liqueur aromas accompanied by licorice, black pepper and exotic spice. Lush and powerful black fruit flavors, just shy of a jammy character. Long finish has spice re-emerging.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
From The Sampler tasting machines. Young, very young and difficult to rate. The nose is full one open. Roses, strawberries, young fruit feel. Maybe a touch on the confectionary side. On the palate its young for sure but not harsh and although a touch on the overdone side still makes for interesting drinking. We can see why some would love it and some would hate it. A touch too young for us to rate so lets see if we are lucky enough to come across this in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Sine Qua Non vertical (Carlton Restaurant, Zurich): Sweet, nearly artificial sweetness, like a bubble gum, clearly note as special as the incognito or THE line, but also long, a bit one dimensional though
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
We opened this one at a local steak house and let it decant for one hour. Not openly deep in colour with quite a bit of oak on the nose. Overall lots of vanilla and caramel in the glass. I also noticed some tobacco in it and this is something that I very rarely pick up. If there was one complaint to be had, the wine was still quite "thin" at this point in it's life. Although we drank this bottle very young, I can see the potential for improvement in it for years to come and I look forward to trying it again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dinner at Steve & Barb's house. The night's only red wine but I guess this is "ok" if we had to let one red in! Dark purple. Very Grenache. Very SQN. Spice on the nose along with very big and bold dark fruits. Extremely long finish. Young but very drinkable. I'd love to see what another 5-7 years will do to this wine. 50+13+13+8.5+8.5=93++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
non blind to me. decanted about 4 hours prior to puttin in the glass. really big nose of dark fruit and exotic ashiness i get from sqn. just a touch of heat but not singeing. viscous, big mouth feel, but again not hot at all. surprisingly (?) great balance for a young big wine. nicely coats the palate with pepper, sweet black licorice, asian spices and very nice dark fruit. not hot on the palate. almost seamless through to the back palate. finish is nice but has not totally fleshed out yet. again, young. once the finish gains some ground, this appears to be a huge, yet balanced wine. i think it will take on a nice sultry feminine side dwon the line.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Ripe black fruit aromas, close to the jammy borderline, with fresh tarragon, black pepper and hints of red curry. Lush and powerful black cherry and plum flavors, dense but still balanced. Note - just arrived a few days ago!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
3/5/2024 - MonacoMik Likes this wine:
An absolute gripper, must be served in a BDX glass, and let it sit a moment ..... very Rayas'ish ... might have to source more :-)
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/4/2024 - GFischmann Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wonderful nose of red berries with good residual fruit, acidity and tannins.
Secondary and tertiary notes balance to great a memorable wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/17/2024 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really holding up well. Fresh and alluring for a 14 year old wine. Certainly in its prime.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2023 - jfpwine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep ruby red with slight garnet on the rim and a medium+ transparency. The nose is explosive, with intense red berries, ripe plums and herbal undertones. The palate is soft, supple and packed with the fruit flavors, ending with a distinct herbal finish. Great balance between the fruit and the structure. Very long persistence. Excellent wine, quite unique expression of the grenache grape.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/16/2023 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
SQN Dinner (Jordan's Place - Chicago IL): Ripe, powerful, and nicely spicy. Yet easily remaining in balance. Long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2023 - G_H wrote: 95 Points
Red berries, nice sweetness and the alcohol is well integrated. This feels younger than it is, but in order to shine, it should not be too warm, as with more air and warmer it was slightly less balanced than before. Still 10+ years in the tank.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2022 - Philippe_C wrote: 96 Points
Nose a bit closed, ripe black cherries, forest floor... Loads of superconcentrated red and black cherries, integrated crisp tannin, lenght of 45 sec.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/24/2022 - kenv wrote:
[Decanted at 2pm.] Black fruit nose with a hint of cardamom. Rich, thick, tannins still a bit rough.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2022 - rm97 wrote: 95 Points
Terrific. Had calmed down so much since last botttle. Beautifully integrated and just singing
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/22/2022 - WildeMeeuw Likes this wine: 97 Points
Kleur: Diep donkerrood Aroma / bouquet: Ten opzichte van vier jaar geleden is het bouquet minder stuivend en explosief, maar niet minder indrukwekkend. Vooral gedroogd donker fruit, maar nog steeds (drinkbaarheidsindicatie Parker: tot 2019) primair fruit (bramen, zwartebessen, geconfijte kers / cerise). Zoete kruiden, zacht zoete drop. Smaak / Afdronk: Minder explosief, maar nog steeds een buitengewone concentratie en kracht. Zachte zuurgraad, boterzachte tannines. Briljante structuur. Droppig, beperkt filmend mondgevoel. Lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Dit is niet de eerste keer dat een Sine Qua Non veel langer optimaal blijft dan Wine Advocate inschat! Sine Qua Non is een klasse op zichzelf. Zoals ik in een andere proefnotitie heb gelezen: SQN is soms bijna een karikatuur, maar wat een grote klasse. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 14 + Smaak / Afdronk: 19 + Algemeen / potentieel: 9 = 97/100
Colour: Deep dark red Aroma / bouquet: Compared to four years ago, the bouquet is less dusty and explosive, but no less impressive. Mainly dried dark fruit, but still (Parker drinkability indication: until 2019) primary fruit (blackberry, blackcurrant, candied cherry / cerise). Sweet herbs, soft sweet licorice. Taste / Aftertaste: Less explosive, but still extraordinary concentration and power. Soft acidity, buttery tannins. Brilliant structure. Droppy, limited filming mouthfeel. Long finish. General / potential: This is not the first time that a Sine Qua Non lasts much longer than Wine Advocate estimates! Sine Qua Non is in a class of its own. As I read in another tasting note: SQN is almost a caricature at times, but what a great class. 50 + Colour: 5 + Aroma / Bouquet: 14 + Taste / Aftertaste: 19 + General / Potential: 9 = 97/100
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/19/2022 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 93 Points
Coats Family Cellar Tasting (Wine Cellar): Mid to deep garnet, the wine has a prodigious bouquet of sweet fruit, violet, ripe black plums, cold tea, ginger/galangal (Thai stir fry!) and raspberry compote. There is an element of Syrah in here, yet it is 100% Grenache. Incredibly lifted.
A sweet entry with a grippy texture thesis a brightness of the New World fruit and absence of savoury nuances. The flavours are cold tea, molasses, mineral, handfuls of softened sweet blackberry and raspberry, wet earth and a touch of cayenne pepper. The mid-palate combines an edgy stony texture with brown sugar crystals. Excellent concentration with the tannins keeping to that shapeless feel of Grenache. The finish has a little more mineral firmness but is softened by warm glycerol and forest fruit jam with that little bit of syrup. Amazing intensity and long length.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2022 - Geoff Likes this wine: 96 Points
One hour decant. Deep dark color, no browning. Nose of dark and some red fruits, smoke, oak. Full bodied with a smooth mouthfeel, mollified but still present sweet tannins. More ofthe nose on the palate with some secondary notes. Balanced, well made,civilized and very enjoyable overall.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2022 - markcic Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened two hours prior to dinner, the cork broke and I decanted through a vinturi then poured back into the bottle and took to my club for a holiday BBQ. It took a while to open. The nose was dark berries, cherry, plum and a hint of spice and mocha. The finish was long.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2022 - hoservin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for one hour. Nose of black raspberry, black cherry, mocha, red licorice, bramble and dried herbs. Black raspberry cream liquor, black cherry, red licorice, mocha, bramble and spice on the palate. Excellent depth with a very long, layered finish. Full bodied. Served with reverse seared filet mignon and a Diane sauce.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
2/26/2022 - Matt T wrote: 96 Points
Dark and concentrated. This has intense notes of blackberry and smoke. Smooth core of fruit with some tannins still unresolved. Very well made wine drinking at peak with some years to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2021 - SpitzNV Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking great but from reviews had expected a big more umph. IMHO, not quite in the same league as my favorite examples of Gigondas (eg Domaine des Bosquets La Colline), which go for a fraction the price of SQN. Still... very delicious and paired extremely well with squab and steak courses at Manresa.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/23/2021 - felixman wrote: 97 Points
Open for business from the get go. Ethereal wine. Tremendous balance on the palate with just the right amount of fruit pop. Showing no age. Perfect drinking window.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/28/2021 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Annual Wine Group Summer Event - BBQ Brisket at Siggy's (Siggy & Jenny's Place, Mpls, MN): Tasting pour. Brief note; Ultra ripe, smooth and big, bold, concentrated, blackberry and black raspberry, tasty and indulgent.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/28/2021 - I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wine Group Picnic at Steve's: PnP - Wow! What an awesome wine and right in my wheelhouse! The best wine of the tasting, that I tasted! Nose was full of perfumed flower, dark fruit and tertiary flavors that. included smoked meat, tobacco and cedar, with shades of sweet toasted oak. What really set this wine apart was the silky mouthfeel that accompanied the rainbow of flavors. This was already my favorite wine, but almost rose to another level when paired with a smoked brisket. Wish I had some of this in my cellar! Just awesome! Got even better with time.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
5/23/2021 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drinking great right out of the bottle. This is one of the best grenaches I've ever consumed. Love it
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
5/1/2021 - Elpaninaro Likes this wine:
deep purple red color, soaring nose of dreamy cherries and blueberry foam, on the palate decadently spicy with deep and dark licorice-coated fruits, a very firm structure holds it all brilliantly in place, racy long finish with just a bit of warmth on the very tail end, AFWE as I am- somehow I always find I enjoy SQNs- especially when served among their more traditional brethren as was the case tonight, they are big and at times seem almost caricatures, but even the whimsical can be elevated to greatness in the right hands and with the right mindset, I enjoyed this very much and it added a great and unique dimension to the evening.
****, ready to go and time in hand
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/27/2021 - bengti Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lying in wait for 11 years, bottle opens with a more delicate bouquet than usual for this powerhouse cult producer. Rose, berries, chassis, charcoal whiff from the bottle. In the glass still a healthy garnet, vital and strong. On the palette plum, honey, sandalwood, roasted meat and spices dance around your tongue with a finish that is just just right for the strength of the wine. Perfect with steak (Wolfgangs bday dinner) and towards hot fudge sundae for dessert, it was a little rougher round the edges: murky, I’ve seen this distinguish the Estate wines from non Estate releases. Kept a quarter bottle to taste the day after. First SQN of the year and highly satisfying.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2021 - eschuldt wrote: 95 Points
Delicious if a little less full bodied than I’m used to with SQN
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/5/2020 - robertek wrote: 91 Points
I thought this was surprisingly unbalanced as you could feel the alcohol burn a bit. Better on the nose than on the palate. Had higher expectations....
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2020 - VinoGeeko Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drinking well. Drank in Dad's honor. Far from a fruit bomb, this stuff is restrained and elegant and I thought it paired better with thanksgiving than did the 08 Aubert Pinot magnum, though others disagreed
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/4/2020 - lion@corewines.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
A little disappointed I must say. Decanted for an hour an then drunk over 2 hours this wine was open, but not as smooth as expected. The finish in particular was disappointing.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/1/2020 - BBinSC wrote: 94 Points
93-94: intense, black fruit dominated, spicy, earthy, and of course ripe, with chewy tannins and finish that goes on and on. Not the most closed down SQN I've ever had, but it has some time to peak still. These wines are a thing unto themselves.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/11/2020 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
Ravinia at Home (The Krengels - Bannockburn IL): Note from memory from last night. Bold black fruit with mostly savory spice. Ripe, but clearly very well balanced.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2020 - Larslatour wrote: 94 Points
This is the first SQN i had some years ago. Now it has matured. Beautiful wine. Actually I composed a tune called; Turn the whole thing upside down.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4uWqGvvuwwQ1qMmpOdwGOe?si=OOMTS4f0TbeBAufXMe2R4A
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2020 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for four hours before serving. Very elegant and silky for a SQN. Great stuff.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2020 - Topper wrote: 94 Points
Had with ribs that had a bit of a kick and the big fruit and peppery quality of the wine made a terrific match. I'd say the wine was just approaching it's top drinking widow and will be there in another couple of years, but with a short decant and some flavorful food, it's great right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/14/2020 - dcwino wrote: 93 Points
Ski trip - Three wino familes; 2/14/2020-2/17/2020 (Wisp Resort): Expressive nose displaying ripe black fruit, blackberry liqueur, blueberry pie, cherry jam, a hint of fruit cake, lavender, sweet spices, smoked meat and mineral. Excellent concentration, concentrated very ripe blue fruit, unctuous, good acidity and mineral, and a long sweet black fruit driven finish. For my palate, too much ripe fruit. Still needs time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2019 - Matt T wrote: 94 Points
This was extremely concentrated with spicy red fruit, tar and smoke. Dense tannins. This was briefly decanted, but could have used at least another hour or two of air. Medium to long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/5/2019 - hoservin Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for one hour. Nose of raspberry, cherry, bramble, vanilla and spice. Black and red fruit, licorice, vanilla, underbrush, spice and ripe tannins on the palate. Very long finish with good depth. Full bodied. Served with filet Béarnaise.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/11/2019 - wineismylife wrote: 94 Points
WIML94
Tasted non blind. Opened and served immediately. Followed over about four hours.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of coffee, roasted meat, red cherry and white pepper. Flavors of red raspberries, red boysenberries and plums. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2019 - ageverett Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and decanted 2 hours. Drank over 2 hours. Have had a lot of great (and mostly young) SQNs in the last 18 months. We bought this years ago and cellared. Pulled it for our 10th wedding anniversary. This is no slouch, it's just not up to the incredibly lofty standards of most SQN. I often feel that these wines need up to 10 years to get into a full zone, but maybe this would have been better earlier in its career. if you have one, wouldn't wait too much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2019 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
SQN & BBQ (The Krengels - Bannockburn IL): Small glass, brief note from memory. Very ripe and powerful, but still bright and near balanced. Very long and vibrant finish. So good now, also with upside. I haven't had this since shortly after release, and it continues to be impressive.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2019 - Jahull03 wrote:
Enjoyed greatly (more than other bottle 3+ years ago - I think this has hit its zone).
Not taking a detailed note - simply very well balanced, inviting and warm mouthfeel, medium body but big presence and bright. Everything dialed up. Bright cherry and cracked pepper.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2019 - jviz wrote: 95 Points
A little cloudy ruby color with long glycerine legs. Elegantly perfumed, with cool blue fruit, raspberry, and even some pencil lead on the nose. Jam packed with rhubarb confit, ripe red fruits like a young CNDP. This is still firing away, the alcohol doesn’t feel like 15.6%, but I’m not sure it gets better before the component parts start to diverge. Drink now and over the next 3-5
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2019 - G_H wrote: 93 Points
Needs a lot of air. Good but not among the best SQN
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2018 - Ianthemac Likes this wine: 95 Points
Another SQN triumph. Hugely extracted and an incredibly nose of intense jammy fruit when decanted. It was as good as I remember from last time out. It is the power that Krankl gets out of the grapes that amazes me. It is a knockout wine. A slap across the cheeks from the huge dark fruits on the palate. Amazing once again.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2018 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 96 Points
I always prefer Syrah over Grenache, and that’s no different with SQN wines, but Manfred’s take on Grenache is spell binding to me. Pepperd strip, teriyaki, and spicy red fruit on the nose. Incredibly aromatic (as expected). 9yrs of age have taken this from brooding to densely, but elegant packed on the palate. Black pepper covered rhubarb pie and black cherry notes dominate the mid palate with a muddled cherry finish. I had this same wine about two weeks ago and thought this was a hair better...main difference was serving temp (this was served just above cellar temp).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2018 - mflesh wrote: 95 Points
This wine is big. But, admittedly the Syrahs from this year seem to outdo the Grenaches by a hair or two. This wine has a slight hint of truffle on the nose, but is more red fruit dominated. Extracted. Smooth entry, very rounded edges. Some herbal notes on the middle. Smooth finish. Just enough acidity. This wine deserves a table of its own, but was enjoyed alongside about 14 other bottles today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/8/2018 - SlimShaney wrote: 93 Points
Rancid nose, with a hint of latrine. Luxurious palate with a hint of velvet lemon pepper. Odd. Drink at the Mad Hatters Tea Party. Have a glass but then give him and his crazy circus mirror guests the rest of the bottle ... and watch.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/8/2018 - Quiet Lion Likes this wine: 95 Points
Sturdy nose of spiced candlewax. On the palate, mellow and beautifully balanced. Surprisingly light body. Long finish of sorrel, fresh tomato, and prune. After 90 minutes brett started to appear so this may be an atypical bottle. Still quite enjoyable but not hedonistic by any means.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/25/2017 - WildeMeeuw Likes this wine: 97 Points
Kleur: Diep donkerrood Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Bedwelmend bouquet. Donker fruit, boordevol bramen en zwarte bessen. Laurierblad. Zoete kruidigheid. Een vleug mint. Smaak / Afdronk: Een explosie van smaak, ultieme concentratie. Fris zure start met accenten van menthol. Krachtige, mooi gerijpte, tannines, droppig, een hint van laurier, prettig bittertje. Ondanks 15,6% alcohol domineert de alcohol niet. Super krachtig, geweldig in balans. Indrukwekkend lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Briljante Grenache zoals alleen Manfred Krankl die kan maken. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 14 + Smaak / Afdronk: 19 + Algemeen / potentieel: 9 = 97/100
Google Translate:
Color: Deep dark red Aroma / bouquet: Wow. Stunning bouquet. Dark fruit, full of blackberries and black currants. Bay leaf. Sweet spiciness. A hint of mint. Taste / Finish: An explosion of taste, ultimate concentration. Fresh sour start with menthol accents. Powerful, nicely ripened, tannins, droppy, a hint of laurel, nice bitter. Despite 15.6% alcohol, the alcohol does not dominate. Super powerful, great in balance. Impressively long aftertaste. General / potential: Brilliant Grenache as only Manfred Krankl can make. 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 14 + Taste / Finish: 19 + General / potential: 9 = 97/100
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/7/2017 - Ianthemac Likes this wine: 97 Points
First time drinking SQN. It’s been a bucket list wine of mine and I bought a bottle to share with a friend over a stunning porterhouse. At this level of winemaking and price it should be about two things - intensity or finesse. My two favourite wines are at either ends of the spectrum. I adore Pinot - especially the elegance of Chambolle or the finesse (and power) of Vosne Romanee. I also adore Rhone wines. Grenache in particular. I don’t want elegance here. I want intensity. This wine gives me that in abundance. I can still taste it two hours later - after having had an espresso. This is precision and power par excellence. I wondered if the hype could be realised. It is a simply stunning wine with the most powerful nose I have encountered. A huge powder keg of jammy black fruit. The tannins are wonderful and the finish is long and refined. This is winemaking at a level seldom seem. Yes this is hyperbole, but IMO, well deserved.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2017 - retired_and_roving wrote:
Grenache with Panache (New York, NY): Last wine sampled and palate fatigue had set in at this point so minimal notes. I had a hard time distinguishing this from the previous two SQNs ('05 Upside Down & '06 Raven). It seemed very young and primary and would probably hold off opening these for at least another five years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2017 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Grenache with Panache (Friends apt): Very pretty fruit and lots of violets and an intenseness to it that is just classic SQN. Also a young wine that was opened and decanted for prob 2.5 hours before pouring and really would benefit from a lot more years. Really great though.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/4/2017 - hoservin Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted for 1.5 hours. Aromatic nose of raspberry, blackberry, garrigue and chocolate. Blackberry purée, coffee, dried herbs and soft oaky tannins on the palate. Leads to a very long finish. Full bodied with waves of flavor. Served with grilled cowboy steaks and a blue cheese, black truffle butter.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/18/2017 - Buhever Likes this wine: 97 Points
We gave it a two hour decant, which was about right. Dark purple color with dark red fruit, black plum and baking spice on the nose. Very rich in texture and full-bodied, probably coming from the syrah. Flavors of luxardo cherry, dark raspberry, graphite and dried herbs. This wine is outstanding and a real treat to drink. Be sure to cool it to about 65 degrees to tame the 15% alcohol and allow it to show best. We served it with grilled tri-tip, rosemary fingerling potatoes and fresh roasted beets topped with feta. All these flavors worked well with the SQN. Thanks Larry!!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2017 - rustyRudy Likes this wine: 98 Points
Drank for birthday season celebration. Wonderfully paired with grilled pork tenderloin in a cilantro and cherry topping. This might be about as good as Grenache gets for me. Silky smooth, wonderful red fruit flavors, great structure, nothing overdone and all components in great balance.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/9/2017 - andrewdodd86 wrote: 99 Points
Cinnamon, coffee, chocolate, pepper, black raspberry, blackberry, black olive, touch of meat and leather. In love. It's SQN. It never disappoints. Automatically amazing. Tannins have softened. Can I built a fort made of this stuff and live there?
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/18/2017 - Rosengoo wrote: 95 Points
This wine was drank with a short 10 minute decanting and it was clear and a very youthful deep purple in colour. There was a strong amount of dark cherries on the nose and in the glass. I also found a good amount of chocolate flavours. The wine had a strong amount of both acidity and tannins so I assume that this wine still has many good years ahead of it.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2017 - cpsmith33 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sat open in bottle for 6 hours.
As others have written this balances the heat and heavy fruit very well and was very easy to drink.
Not sure worth the price, can accomplish this at half the price I think.
That said this is fun to drink.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2017 - hanasowner wrote: 95 Points
Popped and poured...expressive palate of dark fruit and pepper/spice...silky with a long, smooth finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/17/2016 - Snoman wrote: 96 Points
Blockbuster. Huge aromas and rich flavors, explosive palate with amazing balance for a big wine like this. Just hitting its stride, and should go another decade or so. Still enjoying the long finish two days later (at least in my head)!
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2016 - Alex G. Likes this wine:
True to the name decided to turn the whole thing upside down and serve as a dessert wine in port glasses. Very rich wine, akin to amarone, pairs very well with chocolate. I cannot conceive of drinking more than a few ounces of this heavy and alcoholic wine, but I did enjoy it as it was served.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2016 - canan wrote: 97 Points
BYO @ Mathias: Stunning and amazing and one of the great SQN grenache wines. So much depth and intensity makes it very easy to love!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/19/2016 - mjf@ulkner wrote: 95 Points
Cranberry, stewed strawberry fruit. Silky smooth, but possessing enough underlying acidity to keep this from being flabby. The balance in this is what makes SQN special, and keeps it a level beyond most California fruit bombs. One of our red wines of the year.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2016 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
Random Tuesday night (Tipsy Tuesday?) (Riverpark): Awesome awesome wine. My WOTN (but those who have read my notes in the past are prob not surprised). This was sweet and candied and herbal and strawberry and while it's a wine that you can sip by itself the lamb seemed to bring out whole new side of it. I very much enjoyed.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2016 - RedLoverJim Likes this wine: 94 Points
This could have used a few more years of bottle time, but in lieu of that it could have used a few more hours of decanter time. It was decanted and first tasted about half an hour later, but when it was finished about four hours later it was just really starting to open up. The aromas started showing fruit after an hour or so, opening up in a way that hinted what flavors would follow a few hours later. On the palate, at the 3-4 hour point, the dusty earthy notes were starting to show more dry berry notes, with just a hint of lushness. Still, a very tasty and enjoyable wine.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2016 - G_H wrote: 94 Points
Classic SQN, very different from previous notes, great minerals, richness opulence and length! Stunning
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2016 - SlimShaney wrote: 93 Points
Vegetable nose and caramel palate. Sweet tobacco man leather.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2016 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Very dark core. Blue and dark fruit, liquorice, charred wood, stewed cherries on the nose - slightly porty. Sweet and rich on the palate, very concentrated fruit notes. There is no lack of acidity, the tannins are round and ripe, there is vibrance and complexity, but it is just a bit too big for my taste. Very long. Drink or hold. 91-93
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/7/2016 - B Paul wrote: 95 Points
Great, and drinking really well right now. Didn't decant (didn't seem necessary).
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/30/2016 - pilot360 wrote:
Excellent balance, smokey,blueberries, black pepper, a little mocha, some green sappiness. Complex and ever changing. Was the sweetest out of the three wines this night, but not in a bad way. The tannins are silky and seamless .
This seems like it's in prime drinking window. Fantastic wine. Definitely new world Grenache, which can sometimes be a good thing.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2016 - redknife Likes this wine: 94 Points
Took to prime one twelve
Decanted at the restaurant for 30 mins
Win is in business complex with great nose and palate
No rush to drink
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/31/2016 - brianngibson wrote: 95 Points
Dark inky garnet color. Blueberry, cranberry, roasted meat, flowers ... Each sip brings something just a little different. Fantastic.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/12/2016 - wineismylife wrote: 92 Points
WIML92
Tasted double blind.
Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, slightly dusty looking. Nose of pepper, licorice, roses and red berries. Flavors of berries, Bing cherries, raspberries and and earthy finish. Medium acidity, firm tannin, full bodied. Drink with air or hold.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2016 - hackey37 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Color is brilliant ruby, and hazy with dense color and opaque. The aromatics are plush, floral, crushed red fruit, blueberry, chocolate, and cranberry. The tastes are spicy notes, strawberry, tea, dark chocolate, minerality, and herbal earthy notes. The finish is long and light with nice secondary flavors enmeshed with berry fruity flavors. Complex and delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2016 - Jahull03 wrote:
first experience with an SQN red. thick, full, big but remarkably balanced. 350-lb ex-lineman dancing in a tux. faint touch of smoke on the nose, currant, plum, blueberry and raspberry palate. again, very full but there's something that's settling, comforting, gentle. with time, the currant flavor element gets to be a bit sweet for me. a bit of sweetness?
a couple hours open and this shifts from 'whoa, uh-oh I might really need to get all SQN i can' - which would be impossible anyway and bad news for my budget - to, 'glad I got the chance to try this, I'm still very curious and if I had the chance to buy at release price I absolutely would.' which means I liked it, a lot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2016 - boreddoughboy wrote: 93 Points
Loads of Blueberry. Still getting fair amount of alcohol which dominates. Paired with steak at Quality Meat...still overpowered the food but the length went on this the score.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/12/2015 - Nanda Likes this wine: 96 Points
Pop n' pour and then drank over ~4 hours. Dense yet perfumed aromatic of raspberry jam, herbs, exotic spice, cracked pepper, creme and a light tar note. Palate has medium-to-full body and is concentrated but not at all over the top. Acidic frame provides lift and precision to the fruit. No heat even as the wine warms up over 4 hours from cellar temp. Fresh, lingering finish. Nobody does central coast Rhones better.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/26/2015 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 94 Points
This was a great bottle of SQN that is drinking well with an hour of decanting.
The SQN syrahs have always been my favorite but this one was just as good as many of the syrahs. Loved it. A long life ahead of it in my estimation.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2015 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
Memphis SQN Dinner (Erling Jensen, Memphis, TN): Decanted about five hours and allowed to breathe in bottle for another two+. Notes of candied red plum, spice and florals. Full-bodied with a wealth of red fruit to go along with spice, earth, blueberry and oak. Give this one some time.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2015 - CO_Roots13 wrote: 96 Points
I'm beginning to recognize that I prefer the SQN Grenache over Syrah. I find them to be a bit more balanced and this bottle was no exception. This was an impressive bottle in every way, but will become better with age as its a little too big for its britches in the current state. Extreamly full bodied with loads of dark cherry and blue berry pie with a significant oak presence. Opulent, chewy texture with smokey notes joining the party into the very long finish. I hope I get the chance to taste this in 10 to 15 years. It is an outstanding bottle now, but will be dynamite with some maturity.
9-19-9-9
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/3/2015 - Rosengoo wrote: 92 Points
This was drank at home with no decanting. The wine was slightly cloudy and garnet red in colour. I keep meaning to decant SQN wines but sometimes a quick decision to drink one precludes this and tonight this wine suffered slightly. With a nose of cherries and some chocolate and flavours of the same but some dark grapes as well this wine needed some time to take the sour edges off it. The tannins were at a good level but the acidity was a bit strong for my liking. Still, overall a good bottle that deserved a better fate.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/31/2015 - KenK Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pop and poured. In a very good place, showing plenty of rich creamy dense dark blackberry and kirsch quality. Smooth, long, and well balanced. Alcohol does peak out a bit in the mid-palate, but overall, a wonderful drink.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2015 - shadow wrote: 97 Points
Pop and pour, that tell tail nose is inviting me in.
First sip, the fruit gets pushed aside by the black pepper, than rises up again.
Tannins are brisk but fade quickly leaving your palate sweating for more.
Another sip and the black pepper has been bound up in leather.
The black cherries are laced with tar but its a distant taste.
Very dry and earthly, glad I have more.
4 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/16/2015 - Simply Wine Likes this wine: 95 Points
Really like the way this has been taking off lately - only will get better and better with more time. Would have benefited from 3-4 hrs of air at least as the last glass was by far the best.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2015 - Jonathan T Likes this wine: 93 Points
A beautiful, excellent wine, but not mind-blowing like many other SQN's that I've had. I may have opened it too young and done a disservice by not decanting it. SQN always gets better with age, and I usually give it a little more time in the bottle before opening. (I've been working on my Atlantis and Raven recently.) While it was velvety, seamless and delicious, it didn't wow me to the point where it was paradigm shifting and I had to recalibrate my expectations on how good wine can be. And, while Grenache can be one of the most beautiful varieties when done right, the Grenache didn't shine in this blend. I didn't get as much of the herbs and fresh farmers market bounty I get from some of the best Grenaches. Some of us suspected maybe a higher percentage of Syrah in the mix, and I didn't detect any Viognier which I love in some of Manfred's blends. In any case, thoroughly enjoyable, if not otherworldly or as distinctive as other SQN's I've had.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2015 - River Rat wrote:
Sunday gathering, Benji visits Wine Country (Napa Valley Wine & Cigar): Over the top, sweet. Never would have guessed Grenache. Came across like a dessert wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/4/2015 - fdub Likes this wine: 94 Points
Drank next to the No Girls. This is a totally different ball of wax. Massive beyond massive. Dense like motor oil. Still delicious for the style.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/2/2015 - Minnesota wrote: 90 Points
I totally concur with the two prior commentaries. Not the complex, nuanced wines we've come to instantly recognize as SQN in the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/10/2014 - Rosengoo wrote: 92 Points
The clear wine was garnet red in colour. It was drank at home over a six week period using the Corvin system and there was no discernible difference between the first and last glass. Quite a lot of red cherries on the nose and in the glass with a mid level amount of peppery spices. It was still quite "hot" due to the alcohol content and the tannins were still a bit strong for my liking at this point. I believe that these bottles still have some good amount of aging in front of them.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/29/2014 - Goldstone Likes this wine: 90 Points
'Farewell Jason' Long Lunch (Hong Kong Wine Vaults, Aberdeen, Hong Kong): Translucent purple, with a touch of red. Nose is very pure high-toned blackberry and black plum fruit, some clean funk, fried bacon. Palate is surprisingly silky smooth, like plush new velvet, tons of red and black plum fruit, very clean and carries its alcohol well. But too much like fruit juice for my taste. Big and blowzy and very primary. My first SQN and something of a letdown. Completely outclassed by most of the wines today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2014 - thelostverse wrote: 95 Points
Most generously opened by Allred at Anvil for April's birthday. Second time I've had this wine in the last two years, and it is improving. Still primal with red fruits and spice, but coming together nicely. Paired very well with Korean spiced lamb chops. A real treat.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/25/2014 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
Popped & poured with the Korean spiced lamb chops for Miss TLV's birthday dinner. Aromas of vanilla, cherry, kirsch and dried herbs. Kirsch, pepper, cherry and black raspberry liqueur flavors on the palate. Long, juicy finish dominated by red fruit and spice flavors.
I wanted to open a contrasting wine to TLV's '90 HHS- something with bold, exuberant fruit to play off the spice on the lamb, and this did not disappoint. A fun alternative to the very different, very classic, very enjoyable HSS.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/20/2014 - Dnathanson Likes this wine: 98 Points
Perfection with great aging potential
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/25/2014 - sterin wrote: 95 Points
Drinking very well. Extremely smooth and elegant.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/25/2014 - Rosengoo wrote: 95 Points
This wine was drank at the FWR with a friend and his wine group. We decanted it for approxiamtely 90 minutes and chilled it down slightly over time. It was clear and a deep purple in colour with a nose that included red berries and a touch of chocolate. Those same characteristics were tasted in the glass and the wine had nice levels of tannins and acidity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2014 - G_H wrote:
Rated 85 points...
This was just completely off. Porcini, apricot, peach, botrytis, like an Austrian sweet wine... Very weird and different from previous notes, let's see where this one is headed...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/30/2014 - mike l. Likes this wine: 95 Points
Poured from Coravin
insane.
will hold 5-10.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/25/2014 - G_H Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still very young. Very 'French', elegant CdP style of Grenache. Herbs, cherry, creme de cassis, lots of minerals, great wine with lots and lots of potential.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/12/2014 - G_H wrote: 93 Points
Still in the primary fruit phase, but starts to come together
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/28/2014 - soyhead wrote:
fresh, concentrated cherry, syrupy fruit punch. big fruit bomb. per brian fruit slides into a white pepper. big but in my opinion lacking complexity.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2014 - G_H wrote: 93 Points
Still needs a lot of air to open up and show the signature SQN notes. Raspberries and cherries, some minerals with a very nice length. This is really nice but still too young...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/20/2014 - G_H wrote: 93 Points
Still needs a lot of air to open up and show the signature SQN notes. Raspberries and cherries, some minerals with a very nice length. This is really nice but still too young...
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/10/2014 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine: 94 Points
Color: purple
Nose: ripe red fruits, very nice, elegant
Palate: wow! Sweet core, dark red fruits, perfect balance, very long, very elegant, now I get what the fuss is about, sine qua non rocks! A Grenache dominated Wine with, 84% Grenache, lots of layers, 15.7% alc but doesn't show, still 5-7 yrs for maturity
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/28/2014 - Rosengoo wrote: 95 Points
This was drank at a local restaurant after 45 minutes of decanting. Tonight, this very slightly cloudy wine was showing really well. It was ruby red in colour with a nose of candied cherries. In the glass was cherries as well as a ton of caramel and vanilla. Both the acidity and tannins were in very good balance and although the alcohol level of this wine is quite high, you wouldn't know it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2014 - shadow wrote: 98 Points
Nose is like a warm muffen, color is typical dark blackish red, First sip, touch of cherry fly by, lots of rich fruit all wrapped up in dusty tannin.
Second sip, yumm, love the ballance, like cool water, palate feel reminds me of the best Grand Cru Burgs
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2013 - cabber wrote: 94 Points
KB's Birthday Wine Tasting (Manhattan Beach, CA): Nice fruity grenache. Decanted 1 hour. Nice contrast to the Syrahs and Cabs we were tasting.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2013 - reichken wrote: 94 Points
Sweet chocolate and new wood nose, dark color l very Krankl, very enjoyable
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2013 - dbg wrote:
Dark red/purple. Effusive forward nose of red fruits, spice. Full body, layered lush red fruits, good balance, fruit covers the alcohol well, long finish, outstanding.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/21/2013 - cadamson Likes this wine: 95 Points
Lots and lots of red and blue fruits, spices and herbs. Really a flavor explosion on the palate. Just the tiniest but of heat. Young and exhuberant, enough acid to pull it all together. Great stuff.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/6/2013 - G_H Likes this wine: 93 Points
Needs a fair bit of air to open up. Raspberries and cherries, lots of rocks with a very nice length. This is really nice but still too young
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2013 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 94 Points
Ripe raspberry, incense, musk, kirsch and river rock. The fine tannins and echoing finish is encompassing on all levels. There's an alluvial element during the aftertaste. A refined Grenache from Manfred that is very focused. Drink 2015 - 2023.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/14/2013 - jc-mmb Likes this wine: 96 Points
this bottle relly sang today. color of a nice dark rather opaque purple. nose jumps from glass with ripe red fruit, no heat but a fullness to the nose. exotic incense and some semi sweet licorice. the mouthfeel is terrific. first a nice coating of lush red fruit. then red fruits, flower petals, bright spiciness (not too earthy or dull) and sweet round tannins make for a near perfect mid palate. the finish tapers a bit but still nice and long with just a touch of heat to finish.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/4/2013 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 93 Points
A heck of a Monday Night in Cleveland (E. 4th street): This also seemed a bit young and in need of time. Raspberries, some kirsch, a bit of pepper on the nose. Full bodied. Great texture which bodes well for development. On the palate, this is up front and has some varietal complexity. Mostly red fruits but some darker elements. Lots of room for this to improve.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/28/2013 - Knicksfan wrote: 93 Points
Another success from SQN - I will let these rest for a few more years but the potential is high for these babies
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/5/2013 - rbradleypate Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent wine. Had a lot of alcohol heat in it, but decanted for 6 hours before serving. Lots of briery fruit with great structure and a lingering finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/3/2013 - ews3 wrote: 94 Points
Sine Qua Non Dinner, volume II (Maloney & Porcelli, NYC): well balanced. red and black fruit profile. a tiny bit of heat shows through on the midpalate, but the alcohol is surprisingly not invasive. long way to go. impressive on day 2.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2013 - Uglypinga Likes this wine:
Amazing nose of charred beef, chocolate, mouthwatering dark berries, and some black pepper. The palate explodes in a kaleidoscope of flavors. Chocolate, cinnamon, game meats, blackberries, raspberries, vanilla were all mentioned on the table someone even said coconut. Ever changing though it did not last long. Smooth, sweet, gorgeous finish. Up there with into the dark for me.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/15/2013 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
With a blast of fresh brewed espresso, licorice, blackberry, blueberry, fudge, cherries and jam, the wine is sweet, plush, voluptuous and showy. If you like your wines on the young side, and I often do, especially when it comes to fruit forward styles of wine, this blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5 % Mourvedre is drinking great today.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2013 - Screameagle Likes this wine: 95 Points
The previous poster was right on about the wine it's drinking great. A two hour decant was just about right for this bottle. I never would have picked this blind as a grenache that's for sure but it was very tasty none the less. Happy to have a few of these left.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2013 - MayValley wrote: 96 Points
This wine was caugth at the perfect time... Aromas of smoke, sweet dark cherries, roast meat and spices.
The wine is full bodied with copious amounts of juicy dark red and black fruit, good structure, toasty but well integrated oak, soft tannins and good length. Drinking beautifully now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2013 - tooch wrote: 90 Points
Chinese Dinner in L.A. (Elite Chinese Restaurant - Los Angeles, CA): About the same as last time. Rich, powerful, exotic and meaty. Nice balance to the palate, too. I'm still shocked that I enjoy this! FWIW, this had about 5 hours of air before dinner.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/17/2013 - Rosengoo wrote: 92 Points
I drank this at home over the course of 3 hours. Very deep purple in colour with a nose of cherries,chocolate and some tobacco. The bouquet was also quite heavy on alcohol when the bottle was opened. This wine really does need some decanting time as the first glass was good but nothing spectacular. This all changed after approximately one hour when the alcohol settled down to reveal an abundance of cherry flavour and some pepper. Tonight, this bottle was a bit spicier than I remember.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/8/2013 - Reptibark Likes this wine: 92 Points
While tasting this wine a discussion broke out about how accessible this is today yet how long it will last. Huge, fruit driven, primary and juicy but really fun to drink. I had it after a bevy of outstanding old Rhone wines and so it almost hurt my mouth but, still, Manfred does well! Iron, hot asphalt, minerals, plums and a touch of aromatic herbs.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2013 - Zweder wrote: 96 Points
Occasional group: Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 (By PZ @ Bottles): No really descriptive and detailed notes, but nevertheless not a wine to skip. The bouquet is concentrated and almost powdery, On the palate the same. Very soft and sweet, but also elegance. Is this wine porn? Ready and tempting now and for several years to come. 96+++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/8/2012 - G_H Likes this wine: 92 Points
I felt this bottle was the further away from cdp tham any other sine qua no grenache i have ever tasted, sweeter with loads of overly sweet nearly artifical fruit notes also in the palate. I dont seem to be able to warm up to this wine... I do like it but i am for sure not crazy about it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/4/2012 - Rosengoo wrote: 93 Points
This bottle was drank immediately after opening. The wine was not overly deep in colour and the nose was not very strong due to the fact that it was pulled from a chilled cellar. Quite nice on the palate with lots of cherries and just the right amount of vanilla. This was also very light on the acidity and oak. The tannins were minimal as well. I have half a glass left and i'm curious to see how it develops over the next 24 hours.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/1/2012 - Bill Bucklew wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 5 hours; An extremely perfumed nose of lavender, port must, black cherry and macerated blackberry. Rich dark fruits on the palate, there's a vibrancy and saturation that's in tension here...this is very primal, with black cherry and chocolate following. Needs to evolve a bit more, for me, I'll wait 3-4 more years before opening another bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote: 94 Points
Licorice, black cherry, earth, spice, vanilla and smoke scents open to a rich, soft, polished, full bodied, plush wine that can be enjoyed today. Produced from a blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre, drink this now or age it for a few years.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/22/2012 - JOsgood wrote: 82 Points
This wine really is 'upside down'. Massive, one dimensional heat bomb. It sears the gullet going down. No nose. Nothing but jam on the palate. I don't find anything typical of Grenache here. I don't ever see this wine improving, the raw materials are not there. The recent SQNs have really been disappointing. I don't understand AG's score.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2012 - thelostverse wrote: 92 Points
Opened by Allred at CDP. Lots of red fruit and a bit of pepper. Tasted early upon opening, and it was gone by the time I got back to it. Probably one of the first to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2012 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Cellar Diminishment Party (M/M thelostverse): Aromas of pepper and spice; red fruit. Loads of red fruit on the palate, along with vanilla and spice.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2012 - DanTheRhoneFan wrote: 91 Points
Opened by AllRed at CDP. Lots of air before trying. Stopped taking notes long before trying this other than writing down a score.. 91pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2012 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
Sine Qua Non the Cult of Cults; 10/10/2012-10/11/2012 (Roberson Wine, South Ken, London & The Square, London): Deep, dark, glossy in colour. Ripe, sweet fruit notes on the nose exuberant and youthful. On the palate you feel the youth , quite a bit of tannin and a bit of heat on the finish. For sure can be enjoyed at the moment but really we would prefer to wait especially after trying the 2007 pictures Grenache a few wines later. At the moment if feel a touch one dimensional but this is Grenache at the hands of SQN and no doubt given time it will evolve nicely. 92ish at the moment.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2012 - Rupert wrote: 87 Points
A taste of SQN (Roberson, Kensington, London): Not so dark, the nose less exuberant, sweet blackberry fruit, tannic. Not a patch on the TOSC, but then I much prefer syrah to grenache.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2012 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
Infanticide!!! (Publican, Chicago IL): nose: this was very ripe as well, but more pure and balanced with big tones of dark red cherries, red fruits, red berries, red florals and red currants. Very good depth with layering as well.
taste: full bodied with rich, ripe, and pure tones of dark red cherries, red fruits, red currants, and red berry tones. There are good tannins to this with great depth and layering.
overall: Getting to have this twice in a month is very nice. I was fortunate to be able to spend more time with this one than previous. This is a great example of how to do a ripe style right.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/4/2012 - tooch wrote: 90 Points
The "Open a Bottle That Shouldn't Be Opened" Offline (The Publican - Chicago, IL): Pop and pour. Enjoyed this a good deal. Definitely a powerful and ripe wine - two descriptors that I usually don't associate with wines I like - that displayed nice balance and energy on the palate. The palate was exotic with nice blackberry, plum, spice and beef notes. Big and powerful, yet even for this AFWE I can find things to like here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2012 - jc-mmb wrote: 92 Points
little disappointed with this bottle. color lighter than previous bottles. nose is big however. nice dark red and black fruits. oaky caramel with dark cherry. nice feminine smokiness on the nose. the palate however does not completely follow tonight. rather thin on the tongue and a bit thin/hollow on the palate. some nice character here with fruits, spice, oaky vanilla and smokiness. nice balance of masculine and feminine. disappointed with this finish. just not quite there, and lacking; too short.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/27/2012 - ageverett Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is an amazing bottle. Tasted at SQN wine dinner with 7 others from 2003-2009. Though this was young, it held its own. Definitely needs more time. We purchased a bottle and can't see opening it before 2017. Graphite and anise notes.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2012 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Brunellos 15+ years and older (Moderno, Highland Park IL): nose: obviously very very different from the 15+ year old brunellos that were served previous. Big and rich with ripe tones of red fruits, red and dark berries, dark red cherries, and various spice tones. Good depth with a very forward style to it.
taste: full bodied with big and chewy tannins. Rich, but not overdone on the palate with ripe tones of red fruits, dark berries and dark red cherries, and spice tones. There is some layering right now, but it's extremely young.
overall: this was given to me blind from a tasting in the next room. It wasn't as big as some SQNs that I've had in the past, but it was certainly a warm climate new world grenache to me. I don't know how long it had been open for or how long it had been decanted.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/26/2012 - nortonnose wrote: 92 Points
Opened at 11pm the night before, poured 20h later. Slightly medicinal nose, but in that good way: not at all off-putting. Purple. Big wine, especially considering the time open and the varietal. 8th wine I/we've tasted today so sure, I'm getting a little dulled but, this is delicious without being overly remarkable. Herbs and licorice on the palate. A touch hot but wears its 15.6% pretty well. Med-plus finish. I continue to be impressed how young some of these SQN Syrahs and Grenaches can actually be drunk - but still don't see any rush to do so.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/17/2012 - jc-mmb wrote: 95 Points
non blind. no formal notes taken at guys night on the patio. love the color on this - almost effervescent. nose if full of ripe dark fruits and spices. a little bit of sweet "ashiness" - not ash tray but rather like incense ashes. mouth is medium feel and not hot at all. just kind of surrounds the tongue and coats the palate - but not cloying at all. there were darker fruits here with floral and spice in the background. nicely balanced. finish is seamless and lingers.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote: 94 Points
Goodbye Dinner for Gabriel's Restaurant (Gabriel's - Highwood IL): Very ripe black fruit with liqueur aromas accompanied by licorice, black pepper and exotic spice. Lush and powerful black fruit flavors, just shy of a jammy character. Long finish has spice re-emerging.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/24/2012 - Papies wrote:
From The Sampler tasting machines.
Young, very young and difficult to rate. The nose is full one open. Roses, strawberries, young fruit feel. Maybe a touch on the confectionary side. On the palate its young for sure but not harsh and although a touch on the overdone side still makes for interesting drinking. We can see why some would love it and some would hate it. A touch too young for us to rate so lets see if we are lucky enough to come across this in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2012 - G_H Likes this wine: 92 Points
Sine Qua Non vertical (Carlton Restaurant, Zurich): Sweet, nearly artificial sweetness, like a bubble gum, clearly note as special as the incognito or THE line, but also long, a bit one dimensional though
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/8/2012 - Rosengoo Likes this wine: 95 Points
We opened this one at a local steak house and let it decant for one hour. Not openly deep in colour with quite a bit of oak on the nose. Overall lots of vanilla and caramel in the glass. I also noticed some tobacco in it and this is something that I very rarely pick up. If there was one complaint to be had, the wine was still quite "thin" at this point in it's life.
Although we drank this bottle very young, I can see the potential for improvement in it for years to come and I look forward to trying it again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2012 - JeffGMorris wrote: 93 Points
Dinner at Steve & Barb's house. The night's only red wine but I guess this is "ok" if we had to let one red in! Dark purple. Very Grenache. Very SQN. Spice on the nose along with very big and bold dark fruits. Extremely long finish. Young but very drinkable. I'd love to see what another 5-7 years will do to this wine. 50+13+13+8.5+8.5=93++
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2012 - jc-mmb wrote: 95 Points
non blind to me. decanted about 4 hours prior to puttin in the glass. really big nose of dark fruit and exotic ashiness i get from sqn. just a touch of heat but not singeing. viscous, big mouth feel, but again not hot at all. surprisingly (?) great balance for a young big wine. nicely coats the palate with pepper, sweet black licorice, asian spices and very nice dark fruit. not hot on the palate. almost seamless through to the back palate. finish is nice but has not totally fleshed out yet. again, young. once the finish gains some ground, this appears to be a huge, yet balanced wine. i think it will take on a nice sultry feminine side dwon the line.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2012 - G_H Likes this wine: 92 Points
5 Years Tasting (The same wines now and in 5 years) - Rhone Valley Grapes (Marc Schöni's House): This is probably way too young but still tasted as I couldn't resist. Licorice, tons of strawberry, nearly artificial strawberry flavor. Lots of vanilla with the oak nicely integrated, give this one time.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/31/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Ripe black fruit aromas, close to the jammy borderline, with fresh tarragon, black pepper and hints of red curry. Lush and powerful black cherry and plum flavors, dense but still balanced. Note - just arrived a few days ago!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment