I had this in 2011 and didn't really care for it, just too much of everything. Fast forward a decade+ and the wine is finally (for my palate) in the zone, a place it will occupy for a few more years. That said, I see no reason to wait and every reason to open sooner than later, but that's based on my preferences. Enjoyable but still there's something foursquare about it - and it was served double-blind so it wasn't label bias. I'd drink a glass if offered, but maybe not a second, just like this time. 15,5% abv.
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Opened at Mosu HK. Slow-oxed for many hours before being served at dinner.
This was my personal WOTN. Gorgeous nose - powerful, yet elegant fruit spectrum backed by slight pepperyness and herbal notes. On the palate it was very well integrated, going down extremely smoothly and handling the tannins and alcohol perfectly.
I found myself comparing this to Rayas, and even though I understand that the winemakers are trying to achieve completely different styles, I felt that this SQN just lacked a bit of complexity and 'effortlessness' to push to a higher score. However, when my mind wanders to these types of comparisons, you know it's an extremely good wine.
I'd consider this bottle to be in its prime drinking window now, considering my personal preference for pronounced fruit and freshness. However, will definitely keep at this level for a few years, and would be very happy to try again. 94+
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Popped and poured...big nose of blue fruit and plum...feel like the backbone of spices and flowers I associate with SQN Grenache has drifted away...tannins are fully integrated...medium to long finish...suggest drinking in the next 1-2 years.
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On the nose- Big dark fruits, dark blackberries, dark blueberries, cassis, ripe plums, berry pie, dried fruit, figs, dates, dried meat, saddle leather, dark raspberry, dark cherry, wild flowers, incense, wild herbs, baking spices, oak, vanilla, olives, black ink.
On the palate- Big dark fruits and dark blackberries, dark blueberries and cassis, ripe plums and berry pie, dried fruit and figs, dates and dried meat, saddle leather and dark raspberry, dark cherry and wild flowers, incense and wild herbs, baking spices and oak, vanilla and olives with a hint of black ink on the finish. This wine is huge lush and super smooth with amazing depth. I gave this wine 2 hours of slow Ox then poured a glass and let the bottle develop over the course of the night. I think this wine is drinking KILLER right now but will age for 5-7 plus years if not longer with no problem at all.
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(Sine Qua Non Grenache Raven Series) Dark red violet color; roasted black fruit, hickory smoke nose; intense, roasted black fruit, tar, smoke, incipient bacon fat, light pepper palate; medium-plus finish 93+ points (92% Grenache, 8% Syrah; 16.3% alcohol; tastes more like a big Syrah at this stage than a Grenache)
(Sine Qua Non Grenache Raven Series) Very dark red violet color; tart dried berry, black fruit, green, mint compote, plum and berry nose; big, tar, black fruit and clove palate; long finish 91+ pts.
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2/23/2024 - Tim Heaton wrote:
I had this in 2011 and didn't really care for it, just too much of everything. Fast forward a decade+ and the wine is finally (for my palate) in the zone, a place it will occupy for a few more years. That said, I see no reason to wait and every reason to open sooner than later, but that's based on my preferences. Enjoyable but still there's something foursquare about it - and it was served double-blind so it wasn't label bias. I'd drink a glass if offered, but maybe not a second, just like this time. 15,5% abv.
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9/30/2023 - oxwombat Likes this wine: 94 Points
Opened at Mosu HK. Slow-oxed for many hours before being served at dinner.
This was my personal WOTN. Gorgeous nose - powerful, yet elegant fruit spectrum backed by slight pepperyness and herbal notes. On the palate it was very well integrated, going down extremely smoothly and handling the tannins and alcohol perfectly.
I found myself comparing this to Rayas, and even though I understand that the winemakers are trying to achieve completely different styles, I felt that this SQN just lacked a bit of complexity and 'effortlessness' to push to a higher score. However, when my mind wanders to these types of comparisons, you know it's an extremely good wine.
I'd consider this bottle to be in its prime drinking window now, considering my personal preference for pronounced fruit and freshness. However, will definitely keep at this level for a few years, and would be very happy to try again. 94+
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7/22/2023 - hanasowner wrote: 94 Points
Popped and poured...big nose of blue fruit and plum...feel like the backbone of spices and flowers I associate with SQN Grenache has drifted away...tannins are fully integrated...medium to long finish...suggest drinking in the next 1-2 years.
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5/28/2023 - WineGeek1989 Likes this wine: 98 Points
On the nose- Big dark fruits, dark blackberries, dark blueberries, cassis, ripe plums, berry pie, dried fruit, figs, dates, dried meat, saddle leather, dark raspberry, dark cherry, wild flowers, incense, wild herbs, baking spices, oak, vanilla, olives, black ink.
On the palate- Big dark fruits and dark blackberries, dark blueberries and cassis, ripe plums and berry pie, dried fruit and figs, dates and dried meat, saddle leather and dark raspberry, dark cherry and wild flowers, incense and wild herbs, baking spices and oak, vanilla and olives with a hint of black ink on the finish. This wine is huge lush and super smooth with amazing depth. I gave this wine 2 hours of slow Ox then poured a glass and let the bottle develop over the course of the night. I think this wine is drinking KILLER right now but will age for 5-7 plus years if not longer with no problem at all.
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5/22/2023 - Ricky99 Likes this wine: 93 Points
just astonishing the intensity of flavor and the sophistication on the pallet...with great friends, flank steak w/chimiichurri
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