Jailbreak Brewery restaurant opening SQN wine dinner with Justin Bonner (Jailbreak Brewery, Laurel, MD): There is so much black pepper hear that if tasted blind, I would have guessed as Syrah. Expressive nose displaying decadent black and red fruit, blackberry, crème de cassis, blackberry pie, black cherry, cherry liqueur, strong lavender, dark spices and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of intense black fruit, unctuous yet silky and polished, warm and round, bright acidity, strong earth mineral and a long decadent black fruit driven finish with strong black pepper and liquid smoke at the end. Excellent showing.
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Opened in the bottle for two hours and then decanted two more. Fully resolved with the exception of heat on the nose and some light tannins. Extracted and sweet but definitely balanced. Raspberry syrup, vanilla cake batter, smoked ribs, cherry liqueur, forest floor, iron, thyme, baked plums... Long, lingering and caramelized on the finish (1 minute plus). Overall a great combination of syrupy red fruit and smoke. Yes maybe overly sweet but the layers/complexity are off the charts. No longer my preferred style but come on. Has plenty of time but not sure if it improves from here.
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One of the best bottles of wine I've ever had. Drank alongside the equally perfect Syrah at The Arthur J in Manhattan Beach. Perfect with the pot roast (don't be fooled...that pot roast will blow your mind). Incredible mouthfeel. Just kept getting better as the night went on.
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This bottle was opened and poured with minimal decanting. It was clear and very deep purple in colour. The wine had tons of red cherries and caramel both on the nose as well as in the glass. The tannins and acidity were both surprisingly low and although the alcohol levels on this wine are very high, you wouldn't know it. The only flaw in this bottle tonight was a slightly sour aftertaste to it and that is probably my own fault due to the lack of decanting. Overall, this is a great wine.
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Impromptu gathering - Cos, Velvet Glove, SQN, Alban, Larkmead and etc. (Charlie Palmer - Washington DC): I am always amazed by SQNs’ balance. Beautifully layered ripe red fruits, cherry liquor, crushed blackberries, syrah like peppery note and baking spices. Excellent concentration, nicely layered intense red and black fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and extremely long clean finish. Despite high % alcohol and ripe fruits, exceptional balance and harmony. Really impressive.
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Another Casual Burgundy Dinner...Followed by Sine Qua Non (Paris Club - Chicago IL): Tasted late, brief note. Also served alongside its Syrah equivalent, Shot in the Dark, I again preferred the Grenache. Powerful and incredibly lush with alluring spice, this was incredibly long, well textured and incredibly balanced for a wine of its heft.
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Taste: Full bodied with very good and chewy tannins. The structure is showing the youth of the wine right now. While it is very youthful, there are really good and fleshy tones of licorice, dark red fruits, black cherries, and spice tones.
Overall: This can certainly get better. This doesn't completely feel ready for prime time just yet.
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Sine Qua Non Dinner, volume II (Maloney & Porcelli, NYC): really pretty red fruit profile, with some dried herbs and salinity. tannins are well integrated -- the changeover to grenache here may have played in this wine's favor, but I found it to be a lovely expression.
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2006 In the Crosshairs SQN - Standout wine of the night for me, immediate sensed that there was something special about this wine, as everyone around the table did. The wine was perfect. The acidity was just at the right level, tannins were providing a solid canvas, fruit driven - raspberries, dark cherries, with stone, herbs de provincal, gaminess. This wine had such a great early palate, that transitioned all the way through.
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A taste of SQN (Roberson, Kensington, London): 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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Wow--incredible wine. Popped and poured, but still showed tremendously well. I think it will be even better in another couple years, but it will not disappoint if you open today. Would recommend a 4-hour decant right now. Heady nose, redolent of dark fruit and flowers, followed by a palate that weaves strength and grace together, and oozes dark fruit while also showing animal scents, decomposed granite, and a raciness that I'm not sure I've noticed before. Sofa king good. (PE: 98, only because I can see it getting even better.)
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I drank this at home tonight with dinner and found this bottle had a light purple colour to it with some shades of pink as well. The bouquet which included some strawberry and caramel smells was slightly musty. It almost had a pinot noir feel to it. The wine itself was another SQN success story with a wonderful balance of flavours to it. Lots of cherries in this bottle. Slightly tangy when first tasted but that mostly went away after an hour of decanting.
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Tasted at a charity event (GGFAGC/11). I was slightly disappointed in this as I expected better. Tonight this wild lightly deep in colour wiith a suprisingly mild bouquet to it. Cherries stood out in it's very mild taste. The wine was nicely balanced but I would put these away for 2 or 3 years and then try again.
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perfect balance, inviting nose, rich mouth feel wants you empty the bottle as it seldom gets any better, but, this wine is still improving, will save my last one for many years, on the palate, clean fruit in harmony with a touch of bacon and all spice
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SQN Dinner (Lockkeepers): Purple/ruby in color. Lots of raspberries on the nose with some floral/spice notes. Very smooth, complex and still full bodied. Black raspberries and spice on the palate. Long finish.
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Tightest SQN red I've had. Admittedly, we popped and poured, but even after an hour it was barely showing anything. Finally started to show characteristic SQN notes of rich fruit and lightness, but this is waaaaay to young. Blackberry, creosote, vibrant acidity, and plenty of tannins. Recommend a 6+ hour decant or waiting 2 years.
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12/27/2022 - Minnesota wrote: 92 Points
For the price point and "opportunity cost" of cellaring 15 years, underwhelming. Cannot compete with fine aged Southern Rhones.
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4/4/2021 - NY Wino Likes this wine: 95 Points
Great wine, drinking beautifully with excellent fruit and long delicious finish.
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9/14/2019 - robertek wrote: 97 Points
As good as it gets. Does SQN Grenache age better than the Syrahs -well this certainly was one of the better I have had.
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6/14/2019 - rougeamore Likes this wine: 98 Points
Oozing with dark berries and cassis, ending with pepper. Unctuous mouthfeel. Complex, full bodied with a long finish. A beauty
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5/30/2018 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Jailbreak Brewery restaurant opening SQN wine dinner with Justin Bonner (Jailbreak Brewery, Laurel, MD): There is so much black pepper hear that if tasted blind, I would have guessed as Syrah. Expressive nose displaying decadent black and red fruit, blackberry, crème de cassis, blackberry pie, black cherry, cherry liqueur, strong lavender, dark spices and earth. Excellent concentration, layers upon layers of intense black fruit, unctuous yet silky and polished, warm and round, bright acidity, strong earth mineral and a long decadent black fruit driven finish with strong black pepper and liquid smoke at the end. Excellent showing.
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9/30/2017 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 100 Points
Opened in the bottle for two hours and then decanted two more. Fully resolved with the exception of heat on the nose and some light tannins. Extracted and sweet but definitely balanced. Raspberry syrup, vanilla cake batter, smoked ribs, cherry liqueur, forest floor, iron, thyme, baked plums... Long, lingering and caramelized on the finish (1 minute plus). Overall a great combination of syrupy red fruit and smoke. Yes maybe overly sweet but the layers/complexity are off the charts. No longer my preferred style but come on. Has plenty of time but not sure if it improves from here.
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3/20/2017 - rgcanada Likes this wine: 100 Points
One of the best bottles of wine I've ever had. Drank alongside the equally perfect Syrah at The Arthur J in Manhattan Beach. Perfect with the pot roast (don't be fooled...that pot roast will blow your mind). Incredible mouthfeel. Just kept getting better as the night went on.
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11/14/2015 - dbg wrote:
Outstanding but your. Give it a few more years. Slightly preferred the Syrah.
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9/19/2015 - patwjr Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Smooth, balanced, delicious. Enjoy now or hold.
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8/17/2015 - Rosengoo wrote: 96 Points
This bottle was opened and poured with minimal decanting. It was clear and very deep purple in colour. The wine had tons of red cherries and caramel both on the nose as well as in the glass. The tannins and acidity were both surprisingly low and although the alcohol levels on this wine are very high, you wouldn't know it. The only flaw in this bottle tonight was a slightly sour aftertaste to it and that is probably my own fault due to the lack of decanting. Overall, this is a great wine.
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9/2/2014 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Impromptu gathering - Cos, Velvet Glove, SQN, Alban, Larkmead and etc. (Charlie Palmer - Washington DC): I am always amazed by SQNs’ balance. Beautifully layered ripe red fruits, cherry liquor, crushed blackberries, syrah like peppery note and baking spices. Excellent concentration, nicely layered intense red and black fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and extremely long clean finish. Despite high % alcohol and ripe fruits, exceptional balance and harmony. Really impressive.
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3/22/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote: 95 Points
Another Casual Burgundy Dinner...Followed by Sine Qua Non (Paris Club - Chicago IL): Tasted late, brief note. Also served alongside its Syrah equivalent, Shot in the Dark, I again preferred the Grenache. Powerful and incredibly lush with alluring spice, this was incredibly long, well textured and incredibly balanced for a wine of its heft.
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10/8/2013 - Knicksfan wrote: 95 Points
Pretty spectacular right out of the bottle and over time sublime. Rich fruit and smooth tannin. Really special
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6/22/2013 - bonedocnine wrote: 95 Points
stunner! Drink it now. It is amazing in classic SQN style.
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5/17/2013 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Bearserkerfest Night 1-Piedmont Table (Blue Star Wine Bistro, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is very rich, but it holds it well with ripe tones of black fruits, licorice, black cherries, spices and some red fruits as well. There is good depth as well with the fruit being fleshy.
Taste: Full bodied with very good and chewy tannins. The structure is showing the youth of the wine right now. While it is very youthful, there are really good and fleshy tones of licorice, dark red fruits, black cherries, and spice tones.
Overall: This can certainly get better. This doesn't completely feel ready for prime time just yet.
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5/3/2013 - ews3 wrote: 96 Points
Sine Qua Non Dinner, volume II (Maloney & Porcelli, NYC): really pretty red fruit profile, with some dried herbs and salinity. tannins are well integrated -- the changeover to grenache here may have played in this wine's favor, but I found it to be a lovely expression.
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10/25/2012 - pilot360 wrote: 100 Points
2006 In the Crosshairs SQN - Standout wine of the night for me, immediate sensed that there was something special about this wine, as everyone around the table did. The wine was perfect. The acidity was just at the right level, tannins were providing a solid canvas, fruit driven - raspberries, dark cherries, with stone, herbs de provincal, gaminess. This wine had such a great early palate, that transitioned all the way through.
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10/11/2012 - Papies wrote: 88 Points
Sine Qua Non the Cult of Cults; 10/10/2012-10/11/2012 (Roberson Wine, South Ken, London & The Square, London): We didn't know SQN made disappointing Grenache but this one it is. Light muted nose, with a lot of oaky notes on the palate. Lacks richness of fruit and here the oak is out of tune with the wine . 88 at best and note sure what to make of it and unless this is a bad bottle (wasnt corked)
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10/11/2012 - Rupert wrote: 93 Points
A taste of SQN (Roberson, Kensington, London): 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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9/2/2012 - vinoballo wrote: 100 Points
It doesn't get any better than this. Decanted for eight hours and could have even handled more. So perfectly balanced and delicious.
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8/23/2012 - MarkC Likes this wine:
Wow--incredible wine. Popped and poured, but still showed tremendously well. I think it will be even better in another couple years, but it will not disappoint if you open today. Would recommend a 4-hour decant right now. Heady nose, redolent of dark fruit and flowers, followed by a palate that weaves strength and grace together, and oozes dark fruit while also showing animal scents, decomposed granite, and a raciness that I'm not sure I've noticed before. Sofa king good. (PE: 98, only because I can see it getting even better.)
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3/22/2012 - buckeye76 wrote: 99 Points
RICH DEEP BERRY FRUITS IN THE NOSE AND FLAVOR WITH BLACK CHERRIES AND A TOUCH OF CHOCOLATE. GREAT COMPLEXITY AND A VERY LONG FINISH.
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8/24/2011 - Rosengoo wrote: 94 Points
I drank this at home tonight with dinner and found this bottle had a light purple colour to it with some shades of pink as well. The bouquet which included some strawberry and caramel smells was slightly musty. It almost had a pinot noir feel to it. The wine itself was another SQN success story with a wonderful balance of flavours to it. Lots of cherries in this bottle. Slightly tangy when first tasted but that mostly went away after an hour of decanting.
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6/18/2011 - ews3 wrote: 98 Points
Great Grapes for a Great Cause SQN Tasting -- 4th Annual; 6/17/2011-6/18/2011 (Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC): my other candidate for the best of the SQN reds this night, along with the Heart Chorea. mint tea, red fruit, nice oregano note, white pepper, and saline. long finish. another excellent grenache.
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6/18/2011 - Rosengoo wrote: 93 Points
Tasted at a charity event (GGFAGC/11). I was slightly disappointed in this as I expected better. Tonight this wild lightly deep in colour wiith a suprisingly mild bouquet to it. Cherries stood out in it's very mild taste. The wine was nicely balanced but I would put these away for 2 or 3 years and then try again.
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5/1/2011 - shadow wrote: 98 Points
perfect balance, inviting nose, rich mouth feel wants you empty the bottle as it seldom gets any better, but, this wine is still improving, will save my last one for many years, on the palate, clean fruit in harmony with a touch of bacon and all spice
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5/1/2011 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 97 Points
SQN Dinner (Lockkeepers): Purple/ruby in color. Lots of raspberries on the nose with some floral/spice notes. Very smooth, complex and still full bodied. Black raspberries and spice on the palate. Long finish.
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12/4/2010 - MarkC Likes this wine:
Tightest SQN red I've had. Admittedly, we popped and poured, but even after an hour it was barely showing anything. Finally started to show characteristic SQN notes of rich fruit and lightness, but this is waaaaay to young. Blackberry, creosote, vibrant acidity, and plenty of tannins. Recommend a 6+ hour decant or waiting 2 years.
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