Tasted at the Sena Vertical Wine Dinner (v2016, v2017, v2013, 2011, 2009) hosted by Omtis in Hong Kong.
Overall, I enjoyed all of the wines and they all showed remarkable elegance and finesse. All of them were complex with vibrant acidity. Hints of dark fruit and influence from oak. My takeaway was that they were quite different but genuinely excellent.
2016 (92pt) and 2013 (92pt) were cool years and the wines were fresh, slightly lighter, medium body, and very approachable. I thought these were easy to drink and perfect with food.
2017 (92pt) was a warm vintage, the wine was much more concentrated, and tasted more full bodied, sweeter and more ripe.
2011(91pt) was a balanced year according to the representative from Sena, it is a very elegant style, good structure, good concentration, very smooth, approachable, fresh, but still very long and full Med+ body.
2009 (91pt)was made in an entirely different style from the other wines mentioned above. This was the last year they made it using 100% new oak in preference for a lighter/fresher style in the following vintages. This wine was dense and powerful with great complexity.
To conclude, I couldn’t really say if there was a WOTN for me, all of them were well made. I would suggest comparing 2009 and earlier vintages to the more recent ones. For myself, I enjoyed drinking 2016 and 2013 the most. They were bright with good structure. Perhaps 2017 was the best wine, it was complex, dense, structured, full, and probably would cellar the best.
I had the 2009 which was aged in Sena's own cellars. On 25th anniversary, the winery brought back a few bottles, of this vintage, from their own wine library. This way sure that they have matured in good conditions. And be sure it has aged well..... Very elegant wine. Even before looking up the blend, it was very clear that Carmenere was present. No distracting unripe green aromas, but refined, nuanced ripe hints of green pepper, menthol and graphite. More aromas: a combination of both red and black fruit, sweet tobacco. Tannin structure nicely soft, long finish and velvety mouthfeel. Don't let it age any further, drink now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
4/5/2024 - jonfrutkin Likes this wine: 93 Points
Good news is still more run room. Great fruit and just starting to gain fig.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/8/2023 - burlingtonm Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was my favourite Sena amongst a range of vintages from 1997 to 2021. Well-managed tannins, notes of coffee, good, ripe fruit and a long finish
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2023 - CMSPN wrote: 93 Points
Excellent. I had the 25th anniversary edition. Layers of fruit and balanced tannins. Great nose and long finish. Drink now and enjoy!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2023 - crumblemore Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted at the Sena Vertical Wine Dinner (v2016, v2017, v2013, 2011, 2009) hosted by Omtis in Hong Kong.
Overall, I enjoyed all of the wines and they all showed remarkable elegance and finesse. All of them were complex with vibrant acidity. Hints of dark fruit and influence from oak. My takeaway was that they were quite different but genuinely excellent.
2016 (92pt) and 2013 (92pt) were cool years and the wines were fresh, slightly lighter, medium body, and very approachable. I thought these were easy to drink and perfect with food.
2017 (92pt) was a warm vintage, the wine was much more concentrated, and tasted more full bodied, sweeter and more ripe.
2011(91pt) was a balanced year according to the representative from Sena, it is a very elegant style, good structure, good concentration, very smooth, approachable, fresh, but still very long and full Med+ body.
2009 (91pt)was made in an entirely different style from the other wines mentioned above. This was the last year they made it using 100% new oak in preference for a lighter/fresher style in the following vintages. This wine was dense and powerful with great complexity.
To conclude, I couldn’t really say if there was a WOTN for me, all of them were well made. I would suggest comparing 2009 and earlier vintages to the more recent ones. For myself, I enjoyed drinking 2016 and 2013 the most. They were bright with good structure. Perhaps 2017 was the best wine, it was complex, dense, structured, full, and probably would cellar the best.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
8/31/2023 - JensV Likes this wine: 94 Points
I had the 2009 which was aged in Sena's own cellars. On 25th anniversary, the winery brought back a few bottles, of this vintage, from their own wine library. This way sure that they have matured in good conditions.
And be sure it has aged well..... Very elegant wine.
Even before looking up the blend, it was very clear that Carmenere was present. No distracting unripe green aromas, but refined, nuanced ripe hints of green pepper, menthol and graphite.
More aromas: a combination of both red and black fruit, sweet tobacco.
Tannin structure nicely soft, long finish and velvety mouthfeel.
Don't let it age any further, drink now!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment