2009 Sine Qua Non Syrah This is Not An Exit Eleven Confessions Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (62) Avg Score: 95.3 points

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  12/5/2023 - TWSA wrote: 90 Points

  Nose: smoked bacon, blackcurrant, cinnamon, baked biscuit, clove, star anise, roasted tomato
  Notes: 15.6% ABV. The SQN is a bulky and serious Syrah that punches you in the face. Drank after opening for 2.5 hours. Very fruit jam like texture with lots of cured meat and bacon aroma. Although I must confess that it doesn't feel very much like a 15.6% wine but in essence it is really powerful and probably a bit too strong for my palate. Although I am a great admirer of the artistic presentation of SQN, I cannot say I feel the same for the winemaking style and taste. Also I believe that the drinking window predicted by critics from Wine Advocate - 2013-2024, is quite far from the truth. I would argue that likely 2024 would be the beginning of the drinking window rather than the end. I personally feel that the lifespan of this wine should last till at least mid 2030s. To some extent I feel the power of this wine can be a bit overwhelming and I don't think it's that easy to differentiate this wine to a well made Barossa Shiraz which clearly should not be used as a comparison as they belong to a different status or price bucket, therefore for me although I do not dislike the wine but I can't help to feel a bit underwhelmed.
  Drink: now - 2035
  Rating: 90

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  12/3/2023 - englishman's claret wrote:

  Biggish black plum, liqueuer, full, oaky, round, intense. The alcohol isn't overpowering here, as is sometimes the case with the other SQNs. on show.

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  12/2/2023 - RockinCabs wrote:

  California Wine Weekend; 12/1/2023-12/3/2023 (Mos Eisley Cantina & Waterhouse Restaurant): Ripe Plum, fresh berries, bacon, vanilla, cola and licorice notes. Not really showing markers of syrah yet, but the coiled tannin suggests there is more to come. Difficult to judge today, but the abv seemed in check.

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  11/3/2023 - Geoff Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Great depth of dark fruit, mollified with floral aromatics from white wine blending. Strong, yet tempered, smooth with gentle tannins. Balanced, nuanced, long finish and delightful to drink and enjoy.

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  4/7/2023 - mxpbuy Likes this wine: 94 Points

  A massive wine that after a couple hours barely budged. Syrah is so thick, rich and smooth it reminds me of some Velvet Gloves. Not my favorite SQN Syrah, but a wonderful wine nonetheless and it might be better years from now.

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