Coravin’d over a few weeks here and there and opened the bottle after about half was remaining. A total smooth operator. It’s big but it’s silky smooth and airy. Blackberry, purple plum, pen ink, camphor, tar, beef drippings, and purple Skittles (though not sweet), this No. 13 has so much poise and sophistication for such a gushing specimen. It’s not really a monster, the same way Grimace isn’t really a monster, but it’s kinda like a bear hug from Jared Leto: a little creepy, a little intense, but it’s still a bear hug that lowers your blood pressure and makes you feel like your watching a fish tank full of purple Neon Tetras.
Probably best to hold for a while, but these NoKs are far more approachable than their SQN cousins in their youth (youths? yutes?)…
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My contribution to the night. Double decanted for about 4 hours prior to dinner. I had a small glass upon opening, and definitely benefited from the air and time spent in bottle at dinner. While this was later in the night, I still got nice notes of spice, chocolate, tobacco. GSMs are normally not my thing, but this was an exquisite representation. 16% alcohol! I'd give this another 5+ years before my next bottle.
Drank with ribs on Mother’s Day. Big nose of chocolate , dark fruits and vanilla. Big and bold on the tongue with spices that lead to a long and satisfying finish . Drinking remarkable right now. Hold if you can. Should only get better .
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I had been feeling the urge. NOK was my first big boy wine mailing list clearance. We go way back. Opening a bottle is like reconnecting with a best friend. This vintage did not disappoint. Ready to drink. Not tight. Not bitter. Probably the best NOK ever. The usual suspects: white pepper, vanilla, burnt caramel, dark fruits, and numbing spice. Delicious. A new bottle shape though; I prefer the original.
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Drank alongside the Touriga 2019. Opened in the bottle several hours and approachable from the start. Possibly the best NOK’s I’ve had and also the most assessable young. Milk chocolate, warm baking spice, black fruit and mineral. Moderate acid and no detectable heat. Immaculate balance and more refined than Sine Qua Non and Third Twin. Drink now or hold for ten years plus.
Decanted for three hours. Blackberry cobbler, pipe tobacco, dried raspberries, concentrated balsam, garrigue and red rock. Exceptionally long and very pure; focused and full-bodied. This is a mere baby and still has its fat. Layered silky tannins, and a vibrant, polished middle palate. Possibly the most elegant NoK yet…with shimmer and grace; with layers of glorious fruit. The closest would be the ‘12, yet the vine age and fortitude have collided even better here. Drink 2028 -.
11/23/2023 - csimm wrote: 98 Points
Coravin’d over a few weeks here and there and opened the bottle after about half was remaining. A total smooth operator. It’s big but it’s silky smooth and airy. Blackberry, purple plum, pen ink, camphor, tar, beef drippings, and purple Skittles (though not sweet), this No. 13 has so much poise and sophistication for such a gushing specimen. It’s not really a monster, the same way Grimace isn’t really a monster, but it’s kinda like a bear hug from Jared Leto: a little creepy, a little intense, but it’s still a bear hug that lowers your blood pressure and makes you feel like your watching a fish tank full of purple Neon Tetras.
Probably best to hold for a while, but these NoKs are far more approachable than their SQN cousins in their youth (youths? yutes?)…
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9/12/2023 - sean7711 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Philly CT Meetup (Pumpkin BYOB): 9/12/23 Philly Cellar Tracker Meetup
#1winelover, iamandyc, cyclist, franken berry + others
Vangone and Frias tasting + other bottles
My contribution to the night. Double decanted for about 4 hours prior to dinner. I had a small glass upon opening, and definitely benefited from the air and time spent in bottle at dinner. While this was later in the night, I still got nice notes of spice, chocolate, tobacco. GSMs are normally not my thing, but this was an exquisite representation. 16% alcohol! I'd give this another 5+ years before my next bottle.
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5/14/2023 - CabIsKing wrote: 98 Points
Drank with ribs on Mother’s Day. Big nose of chocolate , dark fruits and vanilla. Big and bold on the tongue with spices that lead to a long and satisfying finish . Drinking remarkable right now. Hold if you can. Should only get better .
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4/1/2023 - Winedog1 Likes this wine: 99 Points
I had been feeling the urge. NOK was my first big boy wine mailing list clearance. We go way back. Opening a bottle is like reconnecting with a best friend. This vintage did not disappoint. Ready to drink. Not tight. Not bitter. Probably the best NOK ever. The usual suspects: white pepper, vanilla, burnt caramel, dark fruits, and numbing spice. Delicious. A new bottle shape though; I prefer the original.
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11/13/2022 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 98 Points
Drank alongside the Touriga 2019. Opened in the bottle several hours and approachable from the start. Possibly the best NOK’s I’ve had and also the most assessable young. Milk chocolate, warm baking spice, black fruit and mineral. Moderate acid and no detectable heat. Immaculate balance and more refined than Sine Qua Non and Third Twin. Drink now or hold for ten years plus.
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10/28/2022 - Matt Scott Likes this wine: 99 Points
Decanted for three hours. Blackberry cobbler, pipe tobacco, dried raspberries, concentrated balsam, garrigue and red rock. Exceptionally long and very pure; focused and full-bodied. This is a mere baby and still has its fat. Layered silky tannins, and a vibrant, polished middle palate. Possibly the most elegant NoK yet…with shimmer and grace; with layers of glorious fruit. The closest would be the ‘12, yet the vine age and fortitude have collided even better here. Drink 2028 -.
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