Sine Qua Non's on a Saturday afternoon

A group of seven of us ventured to the local cooking school as the fall term has started. The students prepare a 5 course lunch as part of the curriculum and they allow BYO. Today's theme was SQN. This is always a fun afternoon. The food is good to great. The conversation is wonderful. As for the wines:

• 2011 Sine Qua Non The Moment 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Its funny, this wine is outstanding but on SQN terms, perhaps not so much. Golden in color. The nose has vanilla and lemon curd. Its a fat wine. Lots of body. The palate has the lemon curd with a rich texture. Some heat on the finish.

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• 2010 Sine Qua Non Grenache Five Shooter 97 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Wow, what a nose. easily the best nose of the afternoon. Probably the best wine, eventually. This was pop and pour and I never felt like it really opened. There is a glass or two left which we will drink tomorrow. Purple in color. Black raspberries, black licorice, spice and floral notes on the nose. Rich full bodied texture. Great acidity. The palate is quite tight as it unwinds in the glass. Black raspberries, charcoal and licorice. Nice balance. Long finish but some heat on the finish. I think air/age will cure this.

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• 2010 Sine Qua Non Syrah Five Shooter 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Really good, but I and most of us, liked the Grenache better. Inky purple. The nose has black raspberries, vanilla, coffee, blue berries and charred wood. Great texture. Very tight on the palate. Lots of jammy black raspberry fruit. There is a lot of depth here.Tight layering that promises a nice complexity with age/air. Also some blueberries and spice. Smoother on the finish. Great wine, needs time.

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• 2011 Sine Qua Non Syrah Dark Blossom 96 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  Probably more accessible than the 2010 (5 Shooter). Inky purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, spice, oak and licorice. On the palate, this is smooth and not as complex. There is plenty going on here, but not as tightly packed. A really nice juicy acidity. Smooth. Great black raspberry fruit. Nice finish.

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• 2011 Sine Qua Non Grenache Dark Blossom 95 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  This is also drinking well now. It had a few hours of breathing with probably helped. Ruby/purple. The nose has black cherries, spice, licorice and kirsch. On the palate, there is a really nice tart acidity. Tight layers of fruit. Medium tannins. drinking really well today.

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• 2007 Sine Qua Non Grenache Pictures 97 Points

  USA, California

  Delicious. Drinking really well. Seemingly ready to drink if still with a decade or two left. Ruby/purple. The nose has black raspberries, cedar, black cherries, spice and floral notes. Full bodied. On the palate, this has layers of fruit and fruit. Juicy acidity. Long finish. Just a great wine.

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• 2007 Sine Qua Non Syrah Labels 98 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  My WOTN. Inky purple in color. The nose is deep with black raspberries, leather, iodine, black pepper and floral notes. On the palate, this is juicy with tons of fruit. Medium tannins. Loads of deliciousness. Tight layering. Great drinking now, but I would still give it air or time if I had a bottle. Just great.

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• 2003 Sine Qua Non Syrah Papa 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast

  A wine that I have had many times, but this was seeming a bit tired. Perhaps my palate. Of course, it was an amazing wine and I am being really picky as this wine used to be closed to perfect for me. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, leather and iodine. Maybe some burnt toast. On the palate, this has a nice complexity. It lacks the precision I remember in its youth. Good black raspberry fruit. Nice acidity. Nice finish. An amazing wine, but I would be drinking these up sooner if this bottle is representative. No sin for a 12 years old Cal Syrah.

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Always a good time!