Sine Qua Non
The Duel Estate Grenache
Central Coast, California, USA
You know, it was pretty ok with a ribeye. Very rich, but the age has tempered the bigness a bit. In an interesting place.
You know, it was pretty ok with a ribeye. Very rich, but the age has tempered the bigness a bit. In an interesting place.
Sep 11th, 2015
2008 Vintage. Brought it to Ciopinot in San Luis Obispo, an excellent restaurant with no corkage for up to 4 bottles! Cherries and raspberries galore. Big, voluptuous wine with long finish. I tend to favor their Syrahs, but can also be rocked by their Grenache. Sommelier has never heard of SQN, so another cherry broken. 🤑
2008 Vintage. Brought it to Ciopinot in San Luis Obispo, an excellent restaurant with no corkage for up to 4 bottles! Cherries and raspberries galore. Big, voluptuous wine with long finish. I tend to favor their Syrahs, but can also be rocked by their Grenache. Sommelier has never heard of SQN, so another cherry broken. 🤑
Jul 5th, 2019
2008 Sine Qua Non "The Duel" Grenache. "Two Losers, Two Winners." 15.8% alcohol. Yet another less than perfect Wine Advocate scorer, but if that's not perfection screaming from my glass right now, it's mighty close. Expressive nose of lilacs, dark fruits, anise and fresh baked blueberry pie. On the palate, a potpourri of liquefied purple flowers and sweet kirsch. Typical SQN satisfying and lengthy finish. I think I would have to be tasting all these barrel aged wines side by side by side before I might be able to rank them, and even then, I expect it would be difficult to distinguish a 10 from a 9.8. I've not found much that can approach Manfred's barrel aged wines for shear opulence. Maybe @justinsmith and @saxumvineyards Bone Rock in a great year, or perhaps @philippecambie with his Clos Saint Jean Sanctus Sanctorum. Let's face it, my followers know I'm perhaps Manfred's biggest fan. Would I let ya'll know if I tasted an SQN that was anything less than great? So far, we haven't had to worry as we've not even been close.
2008 Sine Qua Non "The Duel" Grenache. "Two Losers, Two Winners." 15.8% alcohol. Yet another less than perfect Wine Advocate scorer, but if that's not perfection screaming from my glass right now, it's mighty close. Expressive nose of lilacs, dark fruits, anise and fresh baked blueberry pie. On the palate, a potpourri of liquefied purple flowers and sweet kirsch. Typical SQN satisfying and lengthy finish. I think I would have to be tasting all these barrel aged wines side by side by side before I might be able to rank them, and even then, I expect it would be difficult to distinguish a 10 from a 9.8. I've not found much that can approach Manfred's barrel aged wines for shear opulence. Maybe @justinsmith and @saxumvineyards Bone Rock in a great year, or perhaps @philippecambie with his Clos Saint Jean Sanctus Sanctorum. Let's face it, my followers know I'm perhaps Manfred's biggest fan. Would I let ya'll know if I tasted an SQN that was anything less than great? So far, we haven't had to worry as we've not even been close.
Jul 30th, 2017Absolutely delicious. If there's any wine that mashes the "yummy button", this is it. So jealous of the generous provider of tonight's WOTN. @Martin G Rivard @David L you guys should be here!!
Absolutely delicious. If there's any wine that mashes the "yummy button", this is it. So jealous of the generous provider of tonight's WOTN. @Martin G Rivard @David L you guys should be here!!
Jul 1st, 2017
Another stunner from my favorite California producer. An honor to drink this.
Another stunner from my favorite California producer. An honor to drink this.
Apr 19th, 2015
2008 grenache from Sine Qua Non. One of Krankle's long barrel-aged wines (> 30 months, I believe; double-decanted 4 hours in advance). Off-scale awesome and rates as one of the best grenaches of his I've ever had. Simply spectacular.
2008 grenache from Sine Qua Non. One of Krankle's long barrel-aged wines (> 30 months, I believe; double-decanted 4 hours in advance). Off-scale awesome and rates as one of the best grenaches of his I've ever had. Simply spectacular.
Apr 15th, 2015Sine Qua Non Grenache The Duel 2008
Sine Qua Non Grenache The Duel 2008
Jun 27th, 2014
Decanted this for 7 hours. Needed every click of the clock.
Decanted this for 7 hours. Needed every click of the clock.
Feb 19th, 2023