Second of three, and time has been kind Inky dark in the glass with no bricking. Whereas the original bottle was like a punch in the face, this was more like a thoughtful massage. Still an amazing nose of dark fruits and florals, but the palate has caught up with integrated tannins and a velvety mouthfeel, keeping the alcohol in check. The astringent note present is 2015 has resolved nicely with no lack of balance apparent any longer. No hurry here.
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Enjoyed on New Year’s Eve with Nikki, Jen, and Ethan. Definitely needed a long decant. But was wonderful… Nikki’s favorite of the evening. Long finish, great mouthfeel, dark fruits. Paired well with duck and venison. The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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Decanted for 90 minutes then consumed over several hours. Wow. There is no avoiding the level of force. It is Star Wars invoking. Supported by a healthy acidic undercarriage while carrying coffee and beef fat flavors, this bottle was just so impressive. Alas its my last.
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Blueberry cobbler, Kona coffee, ground rock, bacon fat, smoke and French onion soup. Endowed, and very flavorful, with a velvety, full body; the finish echoes and the entry is exceptionally balanced. Very ready and designed to last, this is enchanting and offers proper flesh. Decanted for an hour. Provocatively stated. Drink now - 2032.
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Decanted early and tasted it after 4 hours. Not ready. Consumed over three hours after a 10 hour decant. Delicious, but a couple of years away from maturity. Still, it is soft across the palate with superb structure and pretty fruit.
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Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery - Aubert, Shafer, Bevan, Sea Smoke, Togni, and more... (Calistoga): From magnum. A wonderfully complex and intriguing Syrah, with blackberry core fruit; notes of olive brine, railroad tie, black and blue river rock, oyster shell, garrigue, and some funky, saline driven soil. More mineral-based than earthy barnyard, but certainly showing some hints of old-world Rhône characteristics; a Cornas-Cote Rotie hybrid. Perfectly balanced, with a medium finish.
A cerebral wine that also reminded me of some of the 2007 and 2008 SQN Syrahs in their current states (albeit a little less interesting than the SQNs).
Drinking great now with a little bit of air, but definitely has some room to age. Drink now and over the next 3-5+ years.
First time cracking into one of these in about 3 years. Double decanted, then slow ox for about 5 hours. Drank over 90 minutes.
This has integrated pretty nicely. Showing some nice polish and refined tannins. Not as much of a "gamey" syrah profile as I recall from prior tasting; smoother and very drinkable. My wife particularly enjoyed this wine, and she is pretty picky on syrahs.
Will be interesting to see how this deals with further time in the cellar; pretty good stuff right now.
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An awful lot of Cornas going on here... A touch of barnyard that blew off as it opened (I didn’t mind it). Smoke, scorched earth, gravel, blackberry, a bit of blueberry, fresh oregano/herbiness, a salty quality, some alcoholic heat, but it doesn’t detract in any way. Drying tannins are still in the game. Decanted 3 hours, recommend at least that. Balanced, but just a touch wild, very complex. It’s a lot of everything, with an intensity that snaps you back to the New World. Could definitely improve, but I’m glad I tried it now!
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A Night of SQNs (Direct and Indirect) (Santa Monica, CA): This was a puzzling experience. Less than a year ago, I had a bottle of this at the same restaurant, and was impressed by its glycerined texture, concentration and lift. That wine benefited from a decant as well. Tonight's bottle was fully resolved, and the Somm agreed a decant would be unnecessary. We both found the wine to be surprisingly Southern Rhone like this time: loads of raspberry and some smoked meat flavors, though it is pure Syrah as I understand it. After an hour or so, the heat was dominant, though it worked okay with steak for those who ordered that. I'd be concerned that the CT drinking window is generously long here...
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Opened and slow oxed for about 8 hours. Then decanted for another hour. Had alongside 2009 Sine Qua Non Estonesuda Salida Grenache and a 2006 Sine Qua Non Ravens #3 Syrah. The Andremily was the deepest in color and also in flavour. Really beautiful wine with sheer power yet tremendous concentration and a gorgeous mouthfeel. Good now, will likely improve with time. Excited to try more! 96+
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Some great wines with Friends; 5/20/2017-5/21/2017 (The Barn at Walden): Great showing for this inaugural vintage of this wine. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, char, violets and slight roasted meats. On the palate, this is full bodied but sinewy at the same time. Firm tannins. Juicy acidity. Long finish. It seemed open with depth and some complexity but no doubt, will develop more if stored well. On the other, it is very good right now.
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Only decanted two hours - still benefits from 5+. I've had my best results in the past decanting this wine for 7 hours. Still excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
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Decanted only 1 hour but, like other notes here, suspect it needs 3 - 6 hours of breathing (wanted to save some for hours later but drank it all instead!) Wound up right now but still very enjoyable.
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Drinking well but outclassed next the Lillian Blue Label 07. This is lush and delicious. Well balanced for my money. Not obvious heat but maybe there is a touch. Nice meaty salinity Dark fruits. Creamy and smooth. Maybe a nip of smokiness. This drinks really easily. Will get better with age although there is no real need to sit on these. That said, I'm interested to see where this goes in the next 5-10 years.
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Decanted 7 hours and followed over the course of a two hour dinner. No noticeable heat, which it had upon opening and for the first couple hours decanting. Powerful nose and rich waves of dark fruit, complex spice and a very long, lush and delineated finish. Better than my two previous bottles. Have 3 more and will try to space them out. This wine is improving with bottle age.
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My first Andremily. I was impressed to a degree, but hardly blown away. Energetic and approachable, with concentrated, glycerined layers of herbal and black fruit flavors, plus a touch of licorice. Impressive lift, but also some heat in the finish. Not opulent to my palate - missing a bit of 'punch.'
This sat in a decanter for 6 hours before being poured back into the bottle for the ride to the restaurant. The second I popped the cork, this had an amazing nose. Dark berries, spice, and cured meat. When poured at the restaurant, the nose was more potent. On the palate, super rich notes of dark berries and spice and just amazing texture. Creamy smooth, with a very long finish. Impressive in the way that it combines intense fruit without tasting candied. I was only able to get 3 of the '12 (this is the first I've opened), but so happy to have 6 of the '13 in the cellar. Amazing work by Jim Binns here.
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First taste seemed closed down compared to my memory of the first bottle I had just after it was released. Left the bottle open for 24 hours and it was fantastic - still concentrated with more complexity and balance (and less evident alcohol) than the night before. My guess is that this will continue to improve for at least the next 3-4 years, maybe longer. Needs a lot of air right now.
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Decanted from 1-3PM then rebottled. Cork popped again at 6:15PM for dinner. Unctuous (in a very good way) nose and mouth-feel. Very young but such a pleasure to drink...will only get better with bottle age.
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A well crafted new world expression of syrah. Ripe red and black fruit but not overly sweet. Some dark floral notes, but deeper secondaries will take time. Hints of pfeffernusse and stewing game meats. Bears its alcohol and wood well. Tannins require some time. This style of wine requires a few more years of bottle age to soften but is not made for the ages. Would wait to open for three or more years. 91-92
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2013 Cal Cabs and a couple of leftovers (The Woods of Newbury): This had been open on the night before. This is drinking very well, but doesn't have quite that freshness that a prior bottle had. Or perhaps it was just my memory. The nose is great with black raspberries, slight campfire, roasted meats and black pepper. Very easy to drink. Gulpable. At the same time, there is a nice complexity. Layers of big fruit, but not over the top. Easy finish. Just a lovely wine.
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wonderful effort for a first bottling! smooth supple yet vibrant deep dark purple fragrant nose of succulent berries beautiful reddish fruit lengthy party on the palate love it
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Great wines, Andremily, Macdonald & Realm (Home): I know this is coming up soon, so I thought I should check in on it. Purple in color. The nose is amazing. A 100 point nose for sure. Enticing aromas of black raspberries, slight vanilla and spice, some roasted meats, black pepper and some anise. On the palate. Amazing texture. One of the smoothest wines I have had in a while despite its youth. Lush, but not over the top black raspberry fruit. Juicy acidity. Complex. Long finish. Gets better and better. Only issue was my wife LOVED it and drank it faster than I did. I will try to hold my other bottle as this will improve I think.
A mix of superb and corked wines: An immense, take no prisoners wine, with 92% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre and the 5% Viognier which gives it plenty of lift, though no apricot to be found - just licorice, coffee, blackcurrant and violets. Impressive in its style, once of those big wines that still has both style, balance and interest in its own way.
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outstanding. Still needs more bottle aging as you can tell it has a streak of youthful exuberance. Certainly agree with consensus tasting notes. Got my allocation in march and just popped my first bottle in june for a try - needed hours and hours to start to develop. Wait, wait and be patient - this will reward. The wine looks inky colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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I'm reviewing this about 7 months late, but this was a very exciting wine to drink. For reference, I've never had SQN. Poured into a decanter, but only let it air out for about 30 minutes before drinking. Nose was already off the hook expressive, floral. Big bodied. Not a jammy fruit bomb. Very balanced. I don't remember the exact flavor profile, plenty of red and dark fruit, alcohol well hidden. The finish was verrry long. I'm glad I have a few more bottles to try over the next few years. I opened this at release and it was great. It was still a bit tight, tons more potential as time goes on.
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Really nice, long and beefy. Able to have it sans food, though did have it with some apps, cheese/salame. Decanted for about 4 hours and poured back into bottle before serving. Tannins no issue.
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Way too young right now. Still a bit of a fruit bomb at this time. Needs a few years to mature and evolve and become more complex. But I think it will be outstanding once it does. Lay this one down for a few years.
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Took this bottle to a tasting party. Everyone's first experience with this wine (besides me). Got zero airtime, which I think was a problem. Was generally met with enjoyment, but not viewed as a "wow" wine.
Got a note from the host that tried it the following day after the remaining half of the bottle had spent the night open and upright in cellar. Said it was a different wine, and was really impressed.
Give this at least 4 hours if trying one now, and cellar the rest.
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Q1 (and Q2) Wine Dinner (Everett home): Decanted for 4 hours. Smokey, gamey nose. Dark, brooding purple. The finish on this wine is amazing. Truly epic, long and rolling. Dinner guests tasted blind with 2012 SQN Stock and 2012 Saxum James Berry. This was the group #1.
I think the SQN might have edged this one out in my opinion later in the night once it got more air, but the finish on this wine is hard to argue with; approaching perfect.
Will be fun to see how cellaring treats this wine.
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Trelio with the fellas (Clovis Ca.): Well….this isn't like Lillian, and definitely not sqn. This wine just didn't hit me right…there was a sweet red wine vinegar tang to it that I just couldn't get past. Did however like the lighter more mellow style than the likes of an Alban/Saxum/Sqn…..not as intense and rich…the fruit still liqueured and ripe…lovely white pepper spice, dried herbs and florals……just didn't care for that tang, which I usually get in cheaper type wines, as well as a little out of whack. Will definitely like to try another one to see if this holds true.
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Opened by TLV and given a brief decant before it was served. Deep inky color with a knockout bouquet featuring incense, blackberry, ripe plum and pepper with a gamy, salumi-like undertone. Full-bodied with firm but fine-grained tannins and flavors of blackberry and game. Turns a bit astringent through the finish though. With more time in the decanter and glass, the bouquet becomes more florally, with a lavender/rose petal mix. Black pepper and brown sugar notes in the finish, but retains the astringent quality.
Right now the palate lags far behind the bouquet. It has a 96-pt nose and 88-pt palate, but it should flesh out in time and become less astringent. There's certainly plenty of fruit for the structure here; it just needs time. 92 pts for me, 91 for Domino, with 94+ potential- given time. Hold until 2020. Thanks for sharing, TLV!
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Alban, Saxum, Epoch, Law Estate are my favorite Syrah from California. I've only had SQNs twice before so I cannot compare this wine to SQN, but I have high expectations which is why I opened a bottle today, and will lay down the others for a few years. The little I know about Jim Binns through exchange of e-mails tells me he is a great guy and deserves the reviews this wine is getting. I have a feeling this will not be the only 100 point rating the wine will get. Everyone so far has done a great job describing it. I drunk it over 8 hours and it really opened up after about 4 hours. The nose stayed consistently amazing all along. There was no heat and you can't tell it's 15.5% alcohol. This is young and will need a few years to enter its drinking window. I love what I am tasting so far and I can't wait until I get to try another bottle in about 5 years. Amazing!
My allocation arrived yesterday and in spite of my best intentions to lay it down and forget about it for years, I caved and opened one. Expecting, almost wanting, to be disappointed because of my weakness, I was instead amazed at just how seamless the wine was. Even popped-n-poured there was no hint of the 15.5% alcohol on the nose or on the palate. The tannins we completely integrated and I am curious to see what a day of decanting has wrought. This wine probably deserves a higher score, but I've left room for improvement. If you can find this wine, buy it.
Drinking again day two. The wine has further resolved and has an extraordinary mouth coating feel. A lush silken feel follows each sip that coats your tongue and teeth. Even more than I have experienced in the SQN syrahs.
Wow. My wife was dying to try since she was unable to join me for barrel tasting when I picked up. This is some serious wine. Rich, leathery fruit with the right amount of oak. Finish lasts for ages. Very happy that I made it on to this list. Just incredible wine. Imagine it could push a 100 point score after a couple of years in the cellar. No rush to drink this.
FedX fever Should I or shouldn't I. Anticipation Is it the new "it" or just another, another. 1:36 pm here in the woods of Newbury. Nice bottle dressed in fine tissue. I want to ripe off its dress and splash it into a new home. Than latter tonight, into my finest stem, for the that moment of taste that only comes once. tick tock tick tock, will be back latter. 2:13,, Just decanted, holy shit kemosabe, the nose alone just made my day. If you are a SQN addict, you know that smell, and I'm not talking about Teen Spirit. more latter 5:17 Its in the glass, on my desk, sunlight bouncing off, its black, opake. The light that shines through makes my desk look like fire, cool. Nose, humm, got that deep spice, hint of dark roast fumes leaving the coffee pot. First sip, tongue is all a tingle, pepper and leather, finish is not sweet, not tart but more tart than sweet. Not a girly wine, this one packs a big punch, like the dry tannins. Your watching Suits, the rich lawyers are sipping wine after the latest win, this is the taste they want. Taste like a winner. Of ya, its dry, its leather wrapped fruit and yes, it has that "it", if you got some, your going to be happy.
2/16/2023 - thelostverse wrote: 95 Points
Second of three, and time has been kind Inky dark in the glass with no bricking. Whereas the original bottle was like a punch in the face, this was more like a thoughtful massage. Still an amazing nose of dark fruits and florals, but the palate has caught up with integrated tannins and a velvety mouthfeel, keeping the alcohol in check. The astringent note present is 2015 has resolved nicely with no lack of balance apparent any longer. No hurry here.
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2/9/2021 - MTwine66 wrote: 93 Points
Pepper on the nose. Concentrated, dark fruits and some licorice Long decant to smooth it out.
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12/31/2020 - CCGCCG Likes this wine: 96 Points
Enjoyed on New Year’s Eve with Nikki, Jen, and Ethan. Definitely needed a long decant. But was wonderful… Nikki’s favorite of the evening. Long finish, great mouthfeel, dark fruits. Paired well with duck and venison.
The wine looks garnet colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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7/4/2020 - ageverett Likes this wine: 97 Points
This is special stuff. Also opened a 2014 vintage; this 2012 was universally preferred. In a great spot. Slow ox for about 3.5 hours.
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6/18/2020 - jeagle Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted for 90 minutes then consumed over several hours. Wow. There is no avoiding the level of force. It is Star Wars invoking. Supported by a healthy acidic undercarriage while carrying coffee and beef fat flavors, this bottle was just so impressive. Alas its my last.
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5/9/2020 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 97 Points
Blueberry cobbler, Kona coffee, ground rock, bacon fat, smoke and French onion soup. Endowed, and very flavorful, with a velvety, full body; the finish echoes and the entry is exceptionally balanced. Very ready and designed to last, this is enchanting and offers proper flesh. Decanted for an hour. Provocatively stated. Drink now - 2032.
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4/20/2020 - jstarnes Likes this wine: 94 Points
Big and burley. Even better after 30 minutes in the glass. Minerality. Believe it will only get better.
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2/10/2019 - Acohen Likes this wine: 96 Points
Fabulous super rich dark fruit with some game and bacon but just pure blackberry, blueberry with layers of complexity and a lingering finish
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12/29/2018 - jeagle Likes this wine:
Decanted early and tasted it after 4 hours. Not ready. Consumed over three hours after a 10 hour decant. Delicious, but a couple of years away from maturity. Still, it is soft across the palate with superb structure and pretty fruit.
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12/25/2018 - kanowsky wrote: 98 Points
An amazing wine! Aromas of forest floor. Flavors of dark fruit with a finish that lasts minutes. We decanted for one hour.
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8/3/2018 - csimm wrote: 95 Points
Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery - Aubert, Shafer, Bevan, Sea Smoke, Togni, and more... (Calistoga): From magnum. A wonderfully complex and intriguing Syrah, with blackberry core fruit; notes of olive brine, railroad tie, black and blue river rock, oyster shell, garrigue, and some funky, saline driven soil. More mineral-based than earthy barnyard, but certainly showing some hints of old-world Rhône characteristics; a Cornas-Cote Rotie hybrid. Perfectly balanced, with a medium finish.
A cerebral wine that also reminded me of some of the 2007 and 2008 SQN Syrahs in their current states (albeit a little less interesting than the SQNs).
Drinking great now with a little bit of air, but definitely has some room to age. Drink now and over the next 3-5+ years.
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3/11/2018 - ageverett Likes this wine: 96 Points
First time cracking into one of these in about 3 years. Double decanted, then slow ox for about 5 hours. Drank over 90 minutes.
This has integrated pretty nicely. Showing some nice polish and refined tannins. Not as much of a "gamey" syrah profile as I recall from prior tasting; smoother and very drinkable. My wife particularly enjoyed this wine, and she is pretty picky on syrahs.
Will be interesting to see how this deals with further time in the cellar; pretty good stuff right now.
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10/22/2017 - canan wrote: 94 Points
Misc US Rhone wines (Palaegade): Sweet dark fruit but also very plain and simple. Not impressed.
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10/8/2017 - LongViewCellars wrote: 95 Points
2 hour slow ox. beautifully balanced. showed very well. too bad it's my last bottle.
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9/30/2017 - Eric.S Likes this wine: 95 Points
An awful lot of Cornas going on here... A touch of barnyard that blew off as it opened (I didn’t mind it). Smoke, scorched earth, gravel, blackberry, a bit of blueberry, fresh oregano/herbiness, a salty quality, some alcoholic heat, but it doesn’t detract in any way. Drying tannins are still in the game. Decanted 3 hours, recommend at least that. Balanced, but just a touch wild, very complex.
It’s a lot of everything, with an intensity that snaps you back to the New World. Could definitely improve, but I’m glad I tried it now!
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7/26/2017 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 91 Points
A Night of SQNs (Direct and Indirect) (Santa Monica, CA): This was a puzzling experience. Less than a year ago, I had a bottle of this at the same restaurant, and was impressed by its glycerined texture, concentration and lift. That wine benefited from a decant as well. Tonight's bottle was fully resolved, and the Somm agreed a decant would be unnecessary. We both found the wine to be surprisingly Southern Rhone like this time: loads of raspberry and some smoked meat flavors, though it is pure Syrah as I understand it. After an hour or so, the heat was dominant, though it worked okay with steak for those who ordered that. I'd be concerned that the CT drinking window is generously long here...
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6/10/2017 - lucaslabelle wrote: 96 Points
Opened and slow oxed for about 8 hours. Then decanted for another hour. Had alongside 2009 Sine Qua Non Estonesuda Salida Grenache and a 2006 Sine Qua Non Ravens #3 Syrah. The Andremily was the deepest in color and also in flavour. Really beautiful wine with sheer power yet tremendous concentration and a gorgeous mouthfeel. Good now, will likely improve with time. Excited to try more! 96+
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5/21/2017 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 97 Points
Some great wines with Friends; 5/20/2017-5/21/2017 (The Barn at Walden): Great showing for this inaugural vintage of this wine. Purple in color. The nose has black raspberries, char, violets and slight roasted meats. On the palate, this is full bodied but sinewy at the same time. Firm tannins. Juicy acidity. Long finish. It seemed open with depth and some complexity but no doubt, will develop more if stored well. On the other, it is very good right now.
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3/28/2017 - scott w Likes this wine: 94 Points
From memory Black fruit good balance, dense but not heavy on the palate. Some earth coming through.
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2/25/2017 - MV2007 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Only decanted two hours - still benefits from 5+. I've had my best results in the past decanting this wine for 7 hours. Still excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by all.
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1/16/2017 - rogerr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted only 1 hour but, like other notes here, suspect it needs 3 - 6 hours of breathing (wanted to save some for hours later but drank it all instead!) Wound up right now but still very enjoyable.
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12/31/2016 - jrobs7777 wrote:
Drinking well but outclassed next the Lillian Blue Label 07. This is lush and delicious. Well balanced for my money. Not obvious heat but maybe there is a touch. Nice meaty salinity Dark fruits. Creamy and smooth. Maybe a nip of smokiness. This drinks really easily. Will get better with age although there is no real need to sit on these. That said, I'm interested to see where this goes in the next 5-10 years.
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11/12/2016 - MV2007 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted 7 hours and followed over the course of a two hour dinner. No noticeable heat, which it had upon opening and for the first couple hours decanting. Powerful nose and rich waves of dark fruit, complex spice and a very long, lush and delineated finish. Better than my two previous bottles. Have 3 more and will try to space them out. This wine is improving with bottle age.
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9/23/2016 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 93 Points
My first Andremily. I was impressed to a degree, but hardly blown away. Energetic and approachable, with concentrated, glycerined layers of herbal and black fruit flavors, plus a touch of licorice. Impressive lift, but also some heat in the finish. Not opulent to my palate - missing a bit of 'punch.'
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9/17/2016 - Michael T. Zoppo Likes this wine:
This sat in a decanter for 6 hours before being poured back into the bottle for the ride to the restaurant. The second I popped the cork, this had an amazing nose. Dark berries, spice, and cured meat. When poured at the restaurant, the nose was more potent. On the palate, super rich notes of dark berries and spice and just amazing texture. Creamy smooth, with a very long finish. Impressive in the way that it combines intense fruit without tasting candied. I was only able to get 3 of the '12 (this is the first I've opened), but so happy to have 6 of the '13 in the cellar. Amazing work by Jim Binns here.
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3/4/2016 - MV2007 Likes this wine: 96 Points
First taste seemed closed down compared to my memory of the first bottle I had just after it was released. Left the bottle open for 24 hours and it was fantastic - still concentrated with more complexity and balance (and less evident alcohol) than the night before. My guess is that this will continue to improve for at least the next 3-4 years, maybe longer. Needs a lot of air right now.
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2/22/2016 - MBerry2 Likes this wine: 90 Points
It smells like sherry. It tastes like fig.
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12/29/2015 - sachsen Likes this wine: 96 Points
Decanted from 1-3PM then rebottled. Cork popped again at 6:15PM for dinner. Unctuous (in a very good way) nose and mouth-feel. Very young but such a pleasure to drink...will only get better with bottle age.
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12/6/2015 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 91 Points
A well crafted new world expression of syrah. Ripe red and black fruit but not overly sweet. Some dark floral notes, but deeper secondaries will take time. Hints of pfeffernusse and stewing game meats. Bears its alcohol and wood well. Tannins require some time. This style of wine requires a few more years of bottle age to soften but is not made for the ages. Would wait to open for three or more years. 91-92
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11/22/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 95 Points
2013 Cal Cabs and a couple of leftovers (The Woods of Newbury): This had been open on the night before. This is drinking very well, but doesn't have quite that freshness that a prior bottle had. Or perhaps it was just my memory. The nose is great with black raspberries, slight campfire, roasted meats and black pepper. Very easy to drink. Gulpable. At the same time, there is a nice complexity. Layers of big fruit, but not over the top. Easy finish. Just a lovely wine.
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10/31/2015 - 9 and 3/4 wrote: 96 Points
wonderful effort for a first bottling!
smooth supple yet vibrant
deep dark purple
fragrant nose of succulent berries
beautiful reddish fruit lengthy party on the palate
love it
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9/13/2015 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 97 Points
Great wines, Andremily, Macdonald & Realm (Home): I know this is coming up soon, so I thought I should check in on it. Purple in color. The nose is amazing. A 100 point nose for sure. Enticing aromas of black raspberries, slight vanilla and spice, some roasted meats, black pepper and some anise. On the palate. Amazing texture. One of the smoothest wines I have had in a while despite its youth. Lush, but not over the top black raspberry fruit. Juicy acidity. Complex. Long finish. Gets better and better. Only issue was my wife LOVED it and drank it faster than I did. I will try to hold my other bottle as this will improve I think.
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8/26/2015 - G_H wrote: 93 Points
Coravin'd love it, Very dense, classic central coast syrah. Still way too young though
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8/24/2015 - rralls wrote: 93 Points
Way too young but lots of potential.
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7/17/2015 - CamWheeler wrote: 92 Points
A mix of superb and corked wines: An immense, take no prisoners wine, with 92% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre and the 5% Viognier which gives it plenty of lift, though no apricot to be found - just licorice, coffee, blackcurrant and violets. Impressive in its style, once of those big wines that still has both style, balance and interest in its own way.
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6/14/2015 - robtzach Likes this wine: 97 Points
outstanding.
Still needs more bottle aging as you can tell it has a streak of youthful exuberance. Certainly agree with consensus tasting notes. Got my allocation in march and just popped my first bottle in june for a try - needed hours and hours to start to develop.
Wait, wait and be patient - this will reward.
The wine looks inky colored. The legs are slow. There is no sediment in the bottle.
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5/1/2015 - Eric.S wrote: 96 Points
I'm reviewing this about 7 months late, but this was a very exciting wine to drink.
For reference, I've never had SQN.
Poured into a decanter, but only let it air out for about 30 minutes before drinking.
Nose was already off the hook expressive, floral.
Big bodied. Not a jammy fruit bomb.
Very balanced. I don't remember the exact flavor profile, plenty of red and dark fruit, alcohol well hidden.
The finish was verrry long.
I'm glad I have a few more bottles to try over the next few years.
I opened this at release and it was great. It was still a bit tight, tons more potential as time goes on.
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4/26/2015 - samiamx_1999 wrote:
Really nice, long and beefy. Able to have it sans food, though did have it with some apps, cheese/salame. Decanted for about 4 hours and poured back into bottle before serving. Tannins no issue.
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4/25/2015 - tcarter Likes this wine: 95 Points
Way too young right now. Still a bit of a fruit bomb at this time. Needs a few years to mature and evolve and become more complex. But I think it will be outstanding once it does. Lay this one down for a few years.
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4/18/2015 - ageverett Likes this wine:
Took this bottle to a tasting party. Everyone's first experience with this wine (besides me). Got zero airtime, which I think was a problem. Was generally met with enjoyment, but not viewed as a "wow" wine.
Got a note from the host that tried it the following day after the remaining half of the bottle had spent the night open and upright in cellar. Said it was a different wine, and was really impressed.
Give this at least 4 hours if trying one now, and cellar the rest.
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4/17/2015 - ageverett Likes this wine: 96 Points
Q1 (and Q2) Wine Dinner (Everett home): Decanted for 4 hours. Smokey, gamey nose. Dark, brooding purple. The finish on this wine is amazing. Truly epic, long and rolling. Dinner guests tasted blind with 2012 SQN Stock and 2012 Saxum James Berry. This was the group #1.
I think the SQN might have edged this one out in my opinion later in the night once it got more air, but the finish on this wine is hard to argue with; approaching perfect.
Will be fun to see how cellaring treats this wine.
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4/16/2015 - gazthewolf wrote:
A new wine release. Central coast and quite the Syrah!
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4/15/2015 - Mrbuzz wrote: 89 Points
Trelio with the fellas (Clovis Ca.): Well….this isn't like Lillian, and definitely not sqn. This wine just didn't hit me right…there was a sweet red wine vinegar tang to it that I just couldn't get past. Did however like the lighter more mellow style than the likes of an Alban/Saxum/Sqn…..not as intense and rich…the fruit still liqueured and ripe…lovely white pepper spice, dried herbs and florals……just didn't care for that tang, which I usually get in cheaper type wines, as well as a little out of whack. Will definitely like to try another one to see if this holds true.
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4/4/2015 - AllRed wrote: 92 Points
Opened by TLV and given a brief decant before it was served. Deep inky color with a knockout bouquet featuring incense, blackberry, ripe plum and pepper with a gamy, salumi-like undertone. Full-bodied with firm but fine-grained tannins and flavors of blackberry and game. Turns a bit astringent through the finish though. With more time in the decanter and glass, the bouquet becomes more florally, with a lavender/rose petal mix. Black pepper and brown sugar notes in the finish, but retains the astringent quality.
Right now the palate lags far behind the bouquet. It has a 96-pt nose and 88-pt palate, but it should flesh out in time and become less astringent. There's certainly plenty of fruit for the structure here; it just needs time. 92 pts for me, 91 for Domino, with 94+ potential- given time. Hold until 2020. Thanks for sharing, TLV!
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3/21/2015 - Brunello123 Likes this wine: 100 Points
Alban, Saxum, Epoch, Law Estate are my favorite Syrah from California. I've only had SQNs twice before so I cannot compare this wine to SQN, but I have high expectations which is why I opened a bottle today, and will lay down the others for a few years. The little I know about Jim Binns through exchange of e-mails tells me he is a great guy and deserves the reviews this wine is getting. I have a feeling this will not be the only 100 point rating the wine will get. Everyone so far has done a great job describing it. I drunk it over 8 hours and it really opened up after about 4 hours. The nose stayed consistently amazing all along. There was no heat and you can't tell it's 15.5% alcohol. This is young and will need a few years to enter its drinking window. I love what I am tasting so far and I can't wait until I get to try another bottle in about 5 years. Amazing!
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3/18/2015 - Tomrg58 Likes this wine: 95 Points
My allocation arrived yesterday and in spite of my best intentions to lay it down and forget about it for years, I caved and opened one. Expecting, almost wanting, to be disappointed because of my weakness, I was instead amazed at just how seamless the wine was. Even popped-n-poured there was no hint of the 15.5% alcohol on the nose or on the palate. The tannins we completely integrated and I am curious to see what a day of decanting has wrought. This wine probably deserves a
higher score, but I've left room for improvement. If you can find this wine, buy it.
Drinking again day two. The wine has further resolved and has an extraordinary mouth coating feel. A lush silken feel follows each sip that coats your tongue and teeth. Even more than I have experienced in the SQN syrahs.
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3/14/2015 - matthewmallon Likes this wine: 99 Points
Wow. My wife was dying to try since she was unable to join me for barrel tasting when I picked up. This is some serious wine. Rich, leathery fruit with the right amount of oak. Finish lasts for ages. Very happy that I made it on to this list. Just incredible wine. Imagine it could push a 100 point score after a couple of years in the cellar. No rush to drink this.
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3/11/2015 - shadow wrote: 98 Points
FedX fever
Should I or shouldn't I.
Anticipation
Is it the new "it" or just another, another.
1:36 pm here in the woods of Newbury.
Nice bottle dressed in fine tissue.
I want to ripe off its dress and splash it into a new home.
Than latter tonight, into my finest stem, for the that moment of taste that only comes once.
tick tock tick tock, will be back latter.
2:13,,
Just decanted, holy shit kemosabe, the nose alone just made my day.
If you are a SQN addict, you know that smell, and I'm not talking about Teen Spirit.
more latter
5:17 Its in the glass, on my desk, sunlight bouncing off, its black, opake.
The light that shines through makes my desk look like fire, cool.
Nose, humm, got that deep spice, hint of dark roast fumes leaving the coffee pot.
First sip, tongue is all a tingle, pepper and leather, finish is not sweet, not tart but more tart than sweet.
Not a girly wine, this one packs a big punch, like the dry tannins.
Your watching Suits, the rich lawyers are sipping wine after the latest win, this is the taste they want.
Taste like a winner.
Of ya, its dry, its leather wrapped fruit and yes, it has that "it", if you got some, your going to be happy.
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