Had this bottle last Friday at Vidalia in DC, but that was basically a pop 'n pour. This one was decanted for 6+ hours.
This is gorgeous again, but with the decant I'll give it a point more than I did last week. I would say this is unmistakably SQN. First things I get are cured meats, pepper, blueberry, eucalyptus...my wife said this smells like 'purple' and freshly crushed grapes :) I think everything is well balanced here; it's all huge. The eucalyptus faded quickly in the decanter.
Very fine, smooth tannins, 40 second finish or so.
Next day follow up: Happily, there was a bit of this left over from last night that was rebottled and corked overnight. Next afternoon, this is still firing on all cylinders. Still gorgeous, with some floral notes I didn't notice last night, and I thought I caught coconut for a second. Overall exceptional wine.
My first Saxum, and a great bottle...this stood up well to an '06 SQN Raven next to it. Lighter than the Raven certainly, but there are similarities in some aspects.
6+ hour decant on this. Caramel, butterscotch, florals, strawberry, plum, tobacco, jam, cassis. 30+ second finish with a bit of a bite to it. Smooth fine tannins.
If you can find this anywhere near the release price, buy it.
Decanted for 8+ hours, still drinking well the next day.
Very ripe, fruit forward style. I can't help but think of grape jelly when I smell it. Probably not a bottle for everyone, but if you like it, you'll probably really like it.
2006 Sine Qua Non Syrah Raven Series 96 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
Had this bottle last Friday at Vidalia in DC, but that was basically a pop 'n pour. This one was decanted for 6+ hours.
This is gorgeous again, but with the decant I'll give it a point more than I did last week. I would say this is unmistakably SQN. First things I get are cured meats, pepper, blueberry, eucalyptus...my wife said this smells like 'purple' and freshly crushed grapes :) I think everything is well balanced here; it's all huge. The eucalyptus faded quickly in the decanter.
Very fine, smooth tannins, 40 second finish or so.
Next day follow up: Happily, there was a bit of this left over from last night that was rebottled and corked overnight. Next afternoon, this is still firing on all cylinders. Still gorgeous, with some floral notes I didn't notice last night, and I thought I caught coconut for a second. Overall exceptional wine.
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2009 Saxum Broken Stones 94 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
My first Saxum, and a great bottle...this stood up well to an '06 SQN Raven next to it. Lighter than the Raven certainly, but there are similarities in some aspects.
6+ hour decant on this. Caramel, butterscotch, florals, strawberry, plum, tobacco, jam, cassis. 30+ second finish with a bit of a bite to it. Smooth fine tannins.
If you can find this anywhere near the release price, buy it.
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2009 Keplinger Kingpin Rows 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
Very good. Certainly could use some more time in the bottle though, or a nice long decant.
I've had this open for two days now, and it's still going strong.
Raspberry, cassis, hint of white chocolate. A bit out of balance toward alcohol perhaps. 30 second finish, with fine tannins.
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2008 Macauley Petite Sirah 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Decanted for 8+ hours, still drinking well the next day.
Very ripe, fruit forward style. I can't help but think of grape jelly when I smell it. Probably not a bottle for everyone, but if you like it, you'll probably really like it.
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