2009 Sine Qua Non The Thrill of Stamp Collecting

[Jeff Leve]

I love popping corks on Sine Qua Non, especially when the new releases arrive. As each label is a unique work of art, ripping of the tissue to get the first glance, is part of the fun.

2009 Sine Qua Non, ”The Thrill of Stamp Collecting” did not disappoint…

Inky purple ruby colored with tears that stain the glass. Blackberry, blueberry, smoke, chocolate malt, black cherry smoke aromas get you going. Massive, concentrated, powerful and rich, but lacking the density of the best vintages, this thick, plush, California Syrah wine ends with a big, juicy, sweet mouthful of smoky blueberry, coffee bean, iron and black cherry. 96 Pts

[Brad Trent]

"...Massive, concentrated, powerful and rich, but lacking......."

96 points for something massive, concentrated, powerful and rich...I guess the stuff that's 'lacking' would have let it hit 100, right?!!

BT

[Jeff Leve]

"...Massive, concentrated, powerful and rich, but lacking......."

96 points for something massive, concentrated, powerful and rich...I guess the stuff that's 'lacking' would have let it hit 100, right?!!

BT

Yup!

Brad... Good to see you here. When are you coming out this way? I have one of the SQN's with the stuff that's lacking with your name on it!

[Brad Trent]

Haven't had anybody wanna send me out your way in a while, but I'll gladly drink whatever SQN you have laying around...100-pointer or not!

[Jeff Leve]

Brad... Count on a bottle of Sine Qua Non with your name on it in the cellar. I have more than enough and need to open them with people that like them. They are in my opinion, the benchmark producer of what winemakers can make from Syrah in California. They combine incredible concentration of flavor with perfectly ripe fruit and rich, velvety textures. Yet, with all that going on, the wines are in perfect balance. Sine Qua Non might not win over staunch traditionalists, but I love the wines!

[Scott DeZutti]

I've only had Sine Qua Non once- 05' Atlantis Fe Syrah. I thought the texture was unlike any wine I've ever had. I do have one bottle each of 07' Labels and 07' Dangerous birds. I am looking forward to drinking... Jeff, have you had any of the Cayuse Syrah's? I had a bottle of 04' Bionic Frog a couple years ago and was really impressed...more gamey than California Syrah but very complex

[Jeff Leve]

Scott... I've had very few bottles of Cayuse. I need to try more. Do you like them?

[Justin Bonner]

The Thrill reminds me of the 07 Guigal La Mouline with loads of pepper and crisp black fruit. Though beware, this wine is still rather tight and should be best after another 3-4yrs. On another note, the 17th Nail remains OPEN for business. This wine just refuses to shut down and never fails to reach the pinnacle of the SQN experience. This is a wine that EVERYONE needs to sell the farm in order to obtain.

[Jeff Leve]

Justin... Good to see you here again. I'm with you on the Sine Qua Non 17th Nail. Inaugural, Pokerface and Just for the Love of it are right there too! I'm surprised you're already popping your 2007 Guigal La Mouline. Mine are sleeping for at least a decade. FWIW, after Bordeaux, and from to time in front of Bordeaux, La Mouline is probably my favorite wine.