A taste of SQN

Roberson, Kensington, London
Tasted Thursday, October 11, 2012 by Rupert with 527 views

Introduction

Never had a Sine Qua Non wine and was curious to see what they were like so jumped at the chance to taste ten of them at Roberson's tonight. These are very impressive. Big, yes, but not out of proportion, and the best showed depth and energy. Probably the best grenache-based wines I've had. Only the clapped out pinot at the end let the side down.

Flight 1 (10 Notes)

  • 2009 Sine Qua Non On The Lam 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

    Intense spicy oak nose, kalaidoscopic, constantly changing perfume, on the palate fat, hot, unctuous, oily, the viognier predominant even though it's only 17% of the blend, huge, mouthfilling, long. Huge, but not clumsy. Intriguing as well as impressive.

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  • 2008 Sine Qua Non The Pontiff 89 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Presented as a rosé, but as dark as many burgundies. Unusual tomatoey nose, thick in texture, but quite delicate in taste, pretty strawberry fruit, but too hot on the finish. Brightened up in the glass.

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  • 2009 Sine Qua Non Syrah The Thrill of... 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Opaque black purple, very oaky, a tad jammy on the nose, but saved by the spice, dense chewy and tannic, huge concentration, but again it's not out of proportion. Impressive.

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  • 2009 Sine Qua Non Grenache Upside Down 87 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    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.

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  • 2008 Sine Qua Non Grenache THE Line 91 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Bright, ruby red. Not much on the nose, but more spice and grip than the 09 grenache, fresher, more precise and I much prefer it

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  • 2007 Sine Qua Non Syrah Dangerous Birds 95 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Almost black, the huge concentration immediately evident on the nose, elegant syrah fruit, seamless, deep - fantastic

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  • 2007 Sine Qua Non Grenache Pictures 94 Points

    USA, California

    The first wine to show some development, sharper, more volatile, more energy, some grip, brilliant

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  • 2006 Sine Qua Non Grenache In the Crosshairs 93 Points

    USA, California

    This showing some development too, very oaky still, quite sweet, black fruited, decent acidity, a bit hot at the end. Like this a lot.

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  • 2001 Sine Qua Non Ventriloquist 94 Points

    USA, California, Central Coast

    Spicy black fruit fragrance, bright fresh fruit on the palate, long, once again a bit hot, but this is really very fine.

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  • 1998 Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Veiled 86 Points

    USA, Oregon, Yamhill County

    Thick, alcoholic, a bit medicinal, some acid there, but not enough to counteract the heat. Some pinot character but cardboardy and dull.

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