6 hours air enabled flavors, tannin to integrate perfectly. Smoked meats, bbq, red fruits, bacon fat, coffee, iron, spice, plum. Full bodied yet pleasurable as my palate enjoyed the intensity and intricate flavors. Another indispensable rhone masterpiece. This feels like just the beginning with a long life ahead.
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Slow-ox for 6 hours. This is a well-made wine. Okay, now to the other stuff. . . .
This is not teally my cup of tea. Oooh, let me continue that thread: the palate is full of over-steeped tea. There is a brightness here—it is Grenache—but it’s morphed into this Hulk-like thing that I can’t wrap my brain around. Each sip I kept thinking, “This is a world-class wine, why don’t I dig it more? Let me ponder.” So, intellectual box: checked. Pleasure box? (Oh, dear.) Um, no. No, my pleasure box was decidedly not checked.
In looking over my notes for the Distenta I Grenache, I think I need to drink up any SQN Grenache I have on the early side. Flip side of that coin, I like the SQN Syrah later, methinks. I also plan on throwing any loose change I have in my couch or the car ashtray-like receptacle at SQN Syrah exclusively.
A generous gift from a more generous friend. Decanted for an hour and followed with dinner.
Glorious and gracious purple fruit, dried herbs, flowers. Density and depth without being over the top. Incredible structure that is consistent and mineral character. Long persistent finish that shows off the elegance of the fruit.
Never had an SQN before but this was a wow wine.
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As close to perfect as a wine can be. One of the best examples of grenache I've had the pleasure of drinking. Not for the faint of heart and this wine will continue to mellow with time, but how can it get better?
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Mini ESTG at Asadero Kent (Kent, WA): Huge, young, raspberry cocoa. It is unabashedly massive with a balanced yet utterly ebullient character. It did spark an extended debate about the virtues of aging SQN Grenache. And I can say, compared to the 2007 SQN EBA Grenache, this was largely more pleasurable and impressive.
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Drank from a magnum open all day. This is in a great spot now and just reaching the prime window of drinkability. Ripe dark fruit, milk chocolate, smoke, dried herbs, leather, menthol and mineral. Still plenty of structure so no rush to drink. No noticeable heat.
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Beautiful -- dense red and black fruit (no surprise). evolved over several days as i was didn't get to the last glass until way later. nice spice notes on this that will evolve nicely. Not as much herbal character as I have gotten on other SQN Grenaches. Long long finish. Great wine.
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No formal notes. Drank next to Ratsel (Syrah). Grenache is so giving right now with pure fruit and an ethereal mouthfeel. Everything is in balance with a high flavour and aromatic intensity. The Syrah is more structured and the oak slightly more obvious today when comparing side by side. I believe the Syrah will age a little better, but the Grenache is drinking better at this stage. I would rate the Ratsel 1 point higher based on potential. The high octane intensity of the Syrah is outstanding, whereas the integration and ethereal purity of the Grenache offers a more harmonious drinking experience today. Well done Mr Krankl..
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4th Saturday Group (S&J's): Blind. Deep opaque color. Aromas of black raspberry liqueur, pepper and blackberry. Firm tannins support abundant ripe black fruit. Jammy and dark in a good way. long finish. Well-received by the group. I didn't expect it in the first flight, but I was able to pick this out as the grenache. Decanted five hours.
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After a lineup of tasty and interesting wines, this sticks out like a sore thumb. It is more like amarone or dessert confection than a table wine. I’m not complaining either, no shade if you love ‘em, I have a few in my cellar as well, but the experience is a high octane, viscous and sweet one, without a lot of varietal distinction.
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There is a lot going on with this wine and I 100% love it, but nowhere near a 100 pt score for me (not that I have ever given one…). But still, expectations aside, all good things to report. Day 1 decanted 6 hours before tasting. Full fruited, big in every way, but well integrated and extremely well made. Changed with each and every glass so really fun to follow. Raspberries, blackberries, peppery spices so full and round in the mouth, alcohol is there but well integrated (I am sensitive and I don’t mind this at all) Full disclosure I was not in the best place when I tried this day 1, multitasking, getting ready for a trip and balancing work, family and holiday demands. I thought the splurge on SQN might lubricate it, but maybe I was too stressed to fully enjoy. So, I packed an 8oz bottle and took it away with me to try again under more chilled conditions. The extra day(s) have done it no harm. Nose is a bit muted but I am at altitude and it is very dry. Lovely fruit and black pepper and chocolate, black tea, something herbal like Chinese tea. Lots going on. Enjoying it more while relaxed, but still can’t get to 100. Maybe with time? No regrets on opening but I think it will get better.
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This is precise and perfection. So many different tasting flavors. It is so complex. In the beginning black tee and graphite and then suddenly juicy and fruity. And then again it tastes like southern rhone wine and then like Bordeaux. What a beauty!
All cassis and vanilla like a Napa cab on initial pour, but it transitions into more traditional southern Rhône profile of plum, muddled raspberries, and singed herbs with some port-like liquor overtones by the second day. Powerful on the nose and palate with the alcohol poking out a bit, but fresh with good acidity and moderate tannins.
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Decanted 3 bours and served with prime strip, Au gratin potatoes, spinach, and sautéed mushrooms. Powerful seamlessly complex yet sweet with long finish.
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Decanted 4+ hours, as I do for all SQN, absolutely fantastic! I can’t fully remember but I don’t think I have rated more than 5 bottles 100 points in my life, this might be the best!
Tasting: My 4:th time with this producer and the best wine so far. This is quite a mouthfull - "big" is not enough - this is huge - but somehow I quite like it. On the other hand: Half a glass is nice - but a whole bottle?
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Decanted for two hours. Still primal, with the required stunning depth, there’s layered, sweet, fine tannins and a formidable backbone. The enticing blackberries, camphor, stewed cherries, blonde coffee and red licorice draw you in with every sniff. Full-bodied, with lift and again, primary. I would wait another two years and study for many. At the end there’s this stunning floral quality. Such a bodacious middle palate. Drink 2024 - 2039.
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Saturated, viscous, and almost syrupy on the initial sip, the Dirt Vernacular takes a decent dose of air to really get the momentum in gear and the flavors off and running. But once they do, hold on to your tube socks, cuz it doesn’t take long to start pulsating. Deep, dark black cherry, black and red raspberry, cassis, and dark spice notes gush from the front of the attack, slathering the mid-palate and finishing decadently long and lavish.
With a long decant, the Dirt Vernacular possesses the capacities for early consumption. Ideally, I would lay this down for 5+ years just to best temper its current upfront scorching sultriness. 95-97+ points.
Popped and poured courtesy of tlv. Opaque inky color. Notes of black fruit, raspberry liqueur, baking spice and perfumed floral tones. Still rather youthful and primary on the palate with firm tannin and abundant dark fruit. Needs time to round into form. 89-91 pts.
Opaque. Dark fruits and baking spices on the nose. Add pepper on the palate. Mouth coating and tooth staining. Hedonistic. That said, there’s nothing Grenache about this. Too extracted. And nothing you can’t get for a fraction of the price. Try Bogle’s Phantom to get an idea. May outrun the Phantom in the cellar though. Give it til’ 2023.
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These are just wow wines. I had a glass when I opened it and its midnight purple and throws off gamey-peppery notes. Stain your teeth dark this wine is muscular and compact. Syrupy boysenberry initially, with 2 hours after decanting it got a bit more feral. It's big, seamless and focused. I haven't had a bad SQN wine. This wine probably has 15-20 more years ahead of it, but can be enjoyed now. If I had another bottle, I think the sweet spot is still another 5 years ahead.
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Double decanted and put the cork back in for two hours. The initial bouquet was powerful and fruity, the nose when we sat down later was more muted but did reveal roses and blackberry. Purple with ruby rim. Palate moved around red fruit, black fruit, oregano, and potpourri with more potpourri on the nose. Finish was complete but not as long as would be expected even at the four hour mark. I think this is just a wine that is too young, but equally, after more experience now with SQN and NOK, I’m just seeing more complexity with the NOK offshoot which has more consistently “wowed” me. 95+ give it time
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Double decanted 3 hours before dinner. Notes of spice box, violets, ripe raspberry, cherry; hints of grilled meat. Full bodied, off the charts concentration and depth. A bit high toned at first but mellowed with additional air. Great precision and lively; long and satisfying finish. Will be fascinating to see how this evolves.
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Drank at a local restaurant after 7 hours decanting. upon opening this bottle I knew that there was a corkage issue. I was hoping that the funk would go away but sadly it did not fully. After many hours, the wine was very drinkable but it wouldn't be fair to put a rating on this one. It was garnet red in colour and clear with a nose of very ripe cherries. In the glass were those cherry flavours alongside some nutty notes and dark chocolate. There was also slightly sour aftertaste to go with a strong amount of alcohol. Hopefully the next bottle will give me a better result because I'm quite sure that this will be a really good wine.
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Decanted for 3-5 hours. Initially this started out closed with the fruit buried behind layers of peppery alcohol. Eventually the fruit came through but remained on the bright side. Still warm and inviting on the palate with complements of coffee, violets, vanilla, and spice. Easily needs 5 years more. More refined and dialed in than say Saxum or modern Châteauneuf.
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Nose. Immense fruit. Complex. Changes. First out is Burgundy grand cru florality. Next sniff Rhone-fragrances ground white pepper, crowberries and more floral aspects. Then it calms down after a minute in the glass and ends up with a cold, sweet florality and marzipan laced fruit. Always elegant yet powerful nose.
Palate: Immense. Mouth gripping. Tons of powerful and concentrated fruit. But still elegant! Crowberries, leather, freshness, young. Very long. Lasts minutes. Tannins are plentiful but beautifully integrated and smooth. Tingling tip of the tongue.
All in all a beautiful wine. I can understand the price tag, though I don’t think I’ll buy one anytime soon.
50+5+14+18+9 (96p)
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Amazing. 6 hours decant. Got even Better on day 2. First impression of strong alcool resorbed, left place for ripe fruits, already integrated tannins and long finish. On meaty bbq, loved by all. My first SQN, being from France and a huge fan of Rhône wine, I am now sold on Manfred’s winemaking talent. Not my last adventure! 95+ with couple more years aging.
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This is Grenache? Incredibly dense and dark fruit driven. Great precision and layered but how will this be in five years when it is more integrated? Really impressive wine.
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How does he get the depth of fruit expression??? Really fantastic and delicious. Good spice from the whole clusters. Acidity keeps well in check. Still, having more than a couple glasses honestly gets a bit tiring. Went quite well with pork ribs that had a bit of southern spice thing going on also. Beautiful and has ability to be graceful despite the power, just a bit of dialing down would make it even better.
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This was simply amazing. As I've said in many of my grenache reviews, I am a real sucker for this varietal, but this is one of the most exciting versions I have tried.
Needed almost 60 minutes opened (sitting in glasses, wasn't decanted) before the massive nose (and accompanying heat) quieted down, but then it was heavenly. All of the berry fruits (black, blue and red) were well represented, but what stood out most was boysenberry (which was awesome). Some faint tar/pencil-lead notes. Viscous yet finishes with well balanced acid and only a little bit of heat. Not perfect, but I might prefer this to perfect. Might as well just label the bottle "joy".
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OMFG !! This is quite possibly the greatest grenache I have tried from SQN! And it has been quite a few through the years! Deep, dark and brooding colour, with only the ruby stints revealing this is grenache. Had it been syrah it would have been opaque purple. Incredibly pronounced intensity nose bursting with all sorts of goodness from both variety, climate and winemaking. The red and dark raspberry/blackberry notes mixed with notions of candied/liquored berries are very much grenache and the ripe elements and body speak to the climate. To boot, there are notes of woodsmoke and creosote mixed with some malo-toffee and coffee. The mixed in varities play beautiful second violin and makes me think I might probably guess syrah on this one if it had been served blind to me. There are notes of pine roast, clove spice, nutmeg, olive tapenade, black and white pepper and an overall very savoury profile to this behemoth of a wine bomb. So much so that this otherwise Burgundy Lover kept finding myself longing for the next sip and coming back for more. I guess I would have rated this 100 ten years ago, but the warmth creeping in into the finish keeps me from doing that today. It is 16% abv after all and I have grown to realize that no wine can hide that from me. But wow oh wow, what a glorious wine! So happy I opened it. I guess I managed to peek in before it closed down or got hit by travel sickness. Yeehaw!!
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5/3/2024 - Elkcims Likes this wine: 97 Points
6 hours air enabled flavors, tannin to integrate perfectly. Smoked meats, bbq, red fruits, bacon fat, coffee, iron, spice, plum. Full bodied yet pleasurable as my palate enjoyed the intensity and intricate flavors. Another indispensable rhone masterpiece. This feels like just the beginning with a long life ahead.
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3/29/2024 - ERU wrote: 92 Points
Slow-ox for 6 hours. This is a well-made wine. Okay, now to the other stuff. . . .
This is not teally my cup of tea. Oooh, let me continue that thread: the palate is full of over-steeped tea. There is a brightness here—it is Grenache—but it’s morphed into this Hulk-like thing that I can’t wrap my brain around. Each sip I kept thinking, “This is a world-class wine, why don’t I dig it more? Let me ponder.” So, intellectual box: checked. Pleasure box? (Oh, dear.) Um, no. No, my pleasure box was decidedly not checked.
In looking over my notes for the Distenta I Grenache, I think I need to drink up any SQN Grenache I have on the early side. Flip side of that coin, I like the SQN Syrah later, methinks. I also plan on throwing any loose change I have in my couch or the car ashtray-like receptacle at SQN Syrah exclusively.
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3/19/2024 - Rbhan12 Likes this wine: 94 Points
A generous gift from a more generous friend. Decanted for an hour and followed with dinner.
Glorious and gracious purple fruit, dried herbs, flowers. Density and depth without being over the top. Incredible structure that is consistent and mineral character. Long persistent finish that shows off the elegance of the fruit.
Never had an SQN before but this was a wow wine.
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3/2/2024 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 98 Points
As close to perfect as a wine can be. One of the best examples of grenache I've had the pleasure of drinking. Not for the faint of heart and this wine will continue to mellow with time, but how can it get better?
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12/1/2023 - Eric wrote:
Mini ESTG at Asadero Kent (Kent, WA): Huge, young, raspberry cocoa. It is unabashedly massive with a balanced yet utterly ebullient character. It did spark an extended debate about the virtues of aging SQN Grenache. And I can say, compared to the 2007 SQN EBA Grenache, this was largely more pleasurable and impressive.
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10/23/2023 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 99 Points
Drank from a magnum open all day. This is in a great spot now and just reaching the prime window of drinkability. Ripe dark fruit, milk chocolate, smoke, dried herbs, leather, menthol and mineral. Still plenty of structure so no rush to drink. No noticeable heat.
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5/27/2023 - ews3 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful -- dense red and black fruit (no surprise). evolved over several days as i was didn't get to the last glass until way later. nice spice notes on this that will evolve nicely. Not as much herbal character as I have gotten on other SQN Grenaches. Long long finish. Great wine.
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2/28/2023 - ChristyLeighNY wrote:
I think it tastes like Herman Story
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2/25/2023 - ta75 Likes this wine: 96 Points
No formal notes. Drank next to Ratsel (Syrah). Grenache is so giving right now with pure fruit and an ethereal mouthfeel. Everything is in balance with a high flavour and aromatic intensity. The Syrah is more structured and the oak slightly more obvious today when comparing side by side. I believe the Syrah will age a little better, but the Grenache is drinking better at this stage. I would rate the Ratsel 1 point higher based on potential. The high octane intensity of the Syrah is outstanding, whereas the integration and ethereal purity of the Grenache offers a more harmonious drinking experience today. Well done Mr Krankl..
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1/28/2023 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
4th Saturday Group (S&J's): Blind. Deep opaque color. Aromas of black raspberry liqueur, pepper and blackberry. Firm tannins support abundant ripe black fruit. Jammy and dark in a good way. long finish. Well-received by the group. I didn't expect it in the first flight, but I was able to pick this out as the grenache. Decanted five hours.
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1/28/2023 - jviz wrote:
After a lineup of tasty and interesting wines, this sticks out like a sore thumb. It is more like amarone or dessert confection than a table wine. I’m not complaining either, no shade if you love ‘em, I have a few in my cellar as well, but the experience is a high octane, viscous and sweet one, without a lot of varietal distinction.
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12/18/2022 - Decanting Queen wrote: 94 Points
There is a lot going on with this wine and I 100% love it, but nowhere near a 100 pt score for me (not that I have ever given one…). But still, expectations aside, all good things to report.
Day 1 decanted 6 hours before tasting. Full fruited, big in every way, but well integrated and extremely well made. Changed with each and every glass so really fun to follow. Raspberries, blackberries, peppery spices so full and round in the mouth, alcohol is there but well integrated (I am sensitive and I don’t mind this at all)
Full disclosure I was not in the best place when I tried this day 1, multitasking, getting ready for a trip and balancing work, family and holiday demands. I thought the splurge on SQN might lubricate it, but maybe I was too stressed to fully enjoy.
So, I packed an 8oz bottle and took it away with me to try again under more chilled conditions. The extra day(s) have done it no harm. Nose is a bit muted but I am at altitude and it is very dry. Lovely fruit and black pepper and chocolate, black tea, something herbal like Chinese tea. Lots going on. Enjoying it more while relaxed, but still can’t get to 100.
Maybe with time? No regrets on opening but I think it will get better.
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12/11/2022 - El_Toro Likes this wine: 100 Points
This is precise and perfection. So many different tasting flavors. It is so complex. In the beginning black tee and graphite and then suddenly juicy and fruity. And then again it tastes like southern rhone wine and then like Bordeaux. What a beauty!
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10/23/2022 - Acohen Likes this wine: 96 Points
Pure raspberry and chocolate with multiple levels of fruit and secondary flavors
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9/19/2022 - poppacork Likes this wine: 93 Points
All cassis and vanilla like a Napa cab on initial pour, but it transitions into more traditional southern Rhône profile of plum, muddled raspberries, and singed herbs with some port-like liquor overtones by the second day. Powerful on the nose and palate with the alcohol poking out a bit, but fresh with good acidity and moderate tannins.
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7/30/2022 - Dr. Pato Likes this wine: 97 Points
Decanted 3 bours and served with prime strip, Au gratin potatoes, spinach, and sautéed mushrooms. Powerful seamlessly complex yet sweet with long finish.
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6/11/2022 - popasq Likes this wine: 100 Points
Decanted 4+ hours, as I do for all SQN, absolutely fantastic! I can’t fully remember but I don’t think I have rated more than 5 bottles 100 points in my life, this might be the best!
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5/5/2022 - Sundbyberg wrote: 94 Points
Tasting: My 4:th time with this producer and the best wine so far.
This is quite a mouthfull - "big" is not enough - this is huge - but somehow I quite like it.
On the other hand: Half a glass is nice - but a whole bottle?
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12/4/2021 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 97 Points
Decanted for two hours. Still primal, with the required stunning depth, there’s layered, sweet, fine tannins and a formidable backbone. The enticing blackberries, camphor, stewed cherries, blonde coffee and red licorice draw you in with every sniff. Full-bodied, with lift and again, primary. I would wait another two years and study for many. At the end there’s this stunning floral quality. Such a bodacious middle palate. Drink 2024 - 2039.
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7/7/2021 - csimm wrote: 97 Points
2016 Chateauneuf du Pape 99/100 point wine taste-off (and a couple of pirate Rhone wines): A couple of domestic pirates made their ways into the mix, specifically two Krankl creations (outside of the Chimere) – the Third Twin Nuestra Senora and the SQN Dirt Vernacular Grenache.
Saturated, viscous, and almost syrupy on the initial sip, the Dirt Vernacular takes a decent dose of air to really get the momentum in gear and the flavors off and running. But once they do, hold on to your tube socks, cuz it doesn’t take long to start pulsating. Deep, dark black cherry, black and red raspberry, cassis, and dark spice notes gush from the front of the attack, slathering the mid-palate and finishing decadently long and lavish.
With a long decant, the Dirt Vernacular possesses the capacities for early consumption. Ideally, I would lay this down for 5+ years just to best temper its current upfront scorching sultriness. 95-97+ points.
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2/12/2021 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured courtesy of tlv. Opaque inky color. Notes of black fruit, raspberry liqueur, baking spice and perfumed floral tones. Still rather youthful and primary on the palate with firm tannin and abundant dark fruit. Needs time to round into form. 89-91 pts.
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12/5/2020 - Teknsteel Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opaque. Dark fruits and baking spices on the nose. Add pepper on the palate. Mouth
coating and tooth staining. Hedonistic. That said, there’s nothing Grenache about this. Too extracted. And nothing you can’t get for a fraction of the price. Try Bogle’s Phantom to get an idea. May outrun the Phantom in the cellar though. Give it til’ 2023.
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10/17/2020 - RMundell Likes this wine: 97 Points
Drinking insanely good right now.
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8/29/2020 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
These are just wow wines. I had a glass when I opened it and its midnight purple and throws off gamey-peppery notes. Stain your teeth dark this wine is muscular and compact. Syrupy boysenberry initially, with 2 hours after decanting it got a bit more feral. It's big, seamless and focused. I haven't had a bad SQN wine. This wine probably has 15-20 more years ahead of it, but can be enjoyed now. If I had another bottle, I think the sweet spot is still another 5 years ahead.
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6/11/2020 - Lord of the Bottles Likes this wine: 95 Points
Double decanted and put the cork back in for two hours. The initial bouquet was powerful and fruity, the nose when we sat down later was more muted but did reveal roses and blackberry. Purple with ruby rim. Palate moved around red fruit, black fruit, oregano, and potpourri with more potpourri on the nose. Finish was complete but not as long as would be expected even at the four hour mark. I think this is just a wine that is too young, but equally, after more experience now with SQN and NOK, I’m just seeing more complexity with the NOK offshoot which has more consistently “wowed” me. 95+ give it time
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4/12/2020 - MOCGator wrote: 99 Points
Astounding. Lush, deep, complex and profound. An explosion of white pepper. 3 hour decant. Near perfection.
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2/16/2020 - tbabes wrote: 98 Points
Double decanted 3 hours before dinner. Notes of spice box, violets, ripe raspberry, cherry; hints of grilled meat. Full bodied, off the charts concentration and depth. A bit high toned at first but mellowed with additional air. Great precision and lively; long and satisfying finish. Will be fascinating to see how this evolves.
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2/14/2020 - Brunello123 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Very good wine. It was drinking a bit tight from opening, but with time it opened up. Such a great wine that will only get better with age.
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2/3/2020 - Rosengoo wrote: flawed
Drank at a local restaurant after 7 hours decanting. upon opening this bottle I knew that there was a corkage issue. I was hoping that the funk would go away but sadly it did not fully. After many hours, the wine was very drinkable but it wouldn't be fair to put a rating on this one. It was garnet red in colour and clear with a nose of very ripe cherries. In the glass were those cherry flavours alongside some nutty notes and dark chocolate. There was also slightly sour aftertaste to go with a strong amount of alcohol. Hopefully the next bottle will give me a better result because I'm quite sure that this will be a really good wine.
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1/26/2020 - bonedocnine wrote:
Honestly too massive....
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12/1/2019 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 Points
Decanted for 3-5 hours. Initially this started out closed with the fruit buried behind layers of peppery alcohol. Eventually the fruit came through but remained on the bright side. Still warm and inviting on the palate with complements of coffee, violets, vanilla, and spice. Easily needs 5 years more. More refined and dialed in than say Saxum or modern Châteauneuf.
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7/30/2019 - Shiaxonna wrote: 96 Points
Nose.
Immense fruit. Complex. Changes. First out is Burgundy grand cru florality. Next sniff Rhone-fragrances ground white pepper, crowberries and more floral aspects.
Then it calms down after a minute in the glass and ends up with a cold, sweet florality and marzipan laced fruit. Always elegant yet powerful nose.
Palate:
Immense. Mouth gripping. Tons of powerful and concentrated fruit. But still elegant! Crowberries, leather, freshness, young. Very long. Lasts minutes. Tannins are plentiful but beautifully integrated and smooth. Tingling tip of the tongue.
All in all a beautiful wine. I can understand the price tag, though I don’t think I’ll buy one anytime soon.
50+5+14+18+9 (96p)
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7/14/2019 - jblaporte Likes this wine: 95 Points
Amazing. 6 hours decant. Got even Better on day 2. First impression of strong alcool resorbed, left place for ripe fruits, already integrated tannins and long finish. On meaty bbq, loved by all. My first SQN, being from France and a huge fan of Rhône wine, I am now sold on Manfred’s winemaking talent. Not my last adventure! 95+ with couple more years aging.
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7/12/2019 - steak&pizza Likes this wine: 97 Points
This is Grenache? Incredibly dense and dark fruit driven. Great precision and layered but how will this be in five years when it is more integrated? Really impressive wine.
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7/4/2019 - cadamson wrote:
How does he get the depth of fruit expression??? Really fantastic and delicious. Good spice from the whole clusters. Acidity keeps well in check. Still, having more than a couple glasses honestly gets a bit tiring. Went quite well with pork ribs that had a bit of southern spice thing going on also. Beautiful and has ability to be graceful despite the power, just a bit of dialing down would make it even better.
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4/16/2019 - nmcandrew Likes this wine: 97 Points
Man, that is some ripe, ripe bright red fruit. So delicious.
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4/14/2019 - OG-Wino Likes this wine: 98 Points
This was simply amazing. As I've said in many of my grenache reviews, I am a real sucker for this varietal, but this is one of the most exciting versions I have tried.
Needed almost 60 minutes opened (sitting in glasses, wasn't decanted) before the massive nose (and accompanying heat) quieted down, but then it was heavenly. All of the berry fruits (black, blue and red) were well represented, but what stood out most was boysenberry (which was awesome). Some faint tar/pencil-lead notes. Viscous yet finishes with well balanced acid and only a little bit of heat. Not perfect, but I might prefer this to perfect. Might as well just label the bottle "joy".
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3/18/2019 - SineQuaNon Likes this wine: 98 Points
OMFG !! This is quite possibly the greatest grenache I have tried from SQN! And it has been quite a few through the years! Deep, dark and brooding colour, with only the ruby stints revealing this is grenache. Had it been syrah it would have been opaque purple. Incredibly pronounced intensity nose bursting with all sorts of goodness from both variety, climate and winemaking. The red and dark raspberry/blackberry notes mixed with notions of candied/liquored berries are very much grenache and the ripe elements and body speak to the climate. To boot, there are notes of woodsmoke and creosote mixed with some malo-toffee and coffee. The mixed in varities play beautiful second violin and makes me think I might probably guess syrah on this one if it had been served blind to me. There are notes of pine roast, clove spice, nutmeg, olive tapenade, black and white pepper and an overall very savoury profile to this behemoth of a wine bomb. So much so that this otherwise Burgundy Lover kept finding myself longing for the next sip and coming back for more. I guess I would have rated this 100 ten years ago, but the warmth creeping in into the finish keeps me from doing that today. It is 16% abv after all and I have grown to realize that no wine can hide that from me. But wow oh wow, what a glorious wine! So happy I opened it. I guess I managed to peek in before it closed down or got hit by travel sickness. Yeehaw!!
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