Magnificent Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Aromas and flavors of cherry cola, tobacco and earth. Lots of “Old World” organic qualities. Nice body and light long finish. — 6 years ago
This is a powerful deep Pinot that somehow reminds me of Oregon, even though it's from the Anderson Valley.
Decanted for 45 minutes and served slightly chilled.
Sour candied cherry, vanilla, spice and some earth on the mouth which is quickly followed by strawberry, sage and pepper. — 8 years ago
Spectacular — 5 years ago
Pretty little Pinots from Orange NSW — 5 years ago
This was the wine John Nash gave us for Christmas 2016...outstanding!
— 8 years ago
Nash with Nate 😍 — 5 years ago
2005 Sine Qua Non "The 17th Nail in My Cranium" Sta. Rita Hills Syrah
Buckle your chinstraps folks because tonight we’re headed to the wine world equivalent of the summit of Mt. Everest. The absolute pinnacle in the Universe of wine for yours truly. The “it just don’t get any better than this” moment as far as grapes are concerned. Let me begin first with the name of this magic elixir. If memory serves, it was derived from a combination of the fact that this was the 17th Syrah produced in the Garage d’Or otherwise known as Sine Qua Non, and, in that same year, Manfred was felled by a rogue barrel requiring several staples to close the gash to his cranium, hence... "The 17th Nail in My Cranium"
The wine is a blend of 96.5% Syrah and 3.5% Viognier which was aged 38+ months prior to bottling. % alcohol. 4 hour decant at cellar temperature. Achromatic Raven black motor oil in my Zalto. Undoubtedly, the wines I find most compelling are of the “swirl, sniff and contemplate” variety, and this one might just set the benchmark. Explosive aromatic potpourri of blackberry jam, roasted coffee, fresh ground black pepper, graphite and spice with a faint floral arrangement lurking somewhere in the background. On the palate, sweet cherry compote and black currant with undertones of roasted game and black olives. A big, full bodied wine that’s light on its feet. A tightrope walker. A powerhouse with impeccable manners. Elegant and lithesome. A ballet dancer. Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov in his prime. Complex, with layers of flavors in beautiful, perfect harmony. Crosby, Stills & Nash singing “Suite Judy Blue Eyes.” The Beach Boys, “Good Vibrations.” Perfect balance. Pure, silky mouth feel. Immeasurable finish. And I mean that literally, as in it just continues on and on. Just utter perfection. A wine that is in fact so entirely perfect as to eliminate the need for a search for an alternative. The last word. To paraphrase The Bard, this wine “might (just) be the be-all and the end-all.”
— 6 years ago
James M
This a very delicious vino, I’m listening to Crosby Stills and Nash as I drink this and I’m being transported back in time and remembering times long past. This is a delicious tasty memory! — 4 years ago