Drank 2009 Eleven Confessions “THIS IS NOT AN EXIT” Syrah last night. Had not opened one for about 3 years. Still very vibrant and focused. IMO, there are those who think wines like this cannot be described as elegant, but I found this one to be very much so—lots of flavor, but pretty ethereal on the palate/mouthfeel. My only complaint is that it went down way too easy for a school night and should have enjoyed it more slowly 
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Since my last post I’ve opened a 2013 Jusqu’à l’os Grenache, a 2017 Gorgeous Victim Grenache, and a 2014 Lightmotif white.
All were very good. The white was still quite young and almost “closed down”—would definitely decant for an hour if opening another.
The 2017s continue to be some of my favorites. I think Manfred makes really amazing wines in “off” vintages (e.g., 2011 as well). This bottle was no exception.
The Jusqu’à l’os was still young. Delicious, light in its feet, but will probably last another 20 years easily.
What do people think about TT? I’ve been getting them from the start, but the only one I’ve opened so far was the 14 Graciano which was amazing. Haven’t
touched the Nuestras. Are any ready to drink?
I think they’re spectacular. Full-throttled, but I love them. The Nuestras in particular.
Which Nuestras have you tried?
I’ve had the '16 and the '18. Apparently I’ve gone through three of the '16–I like it so much it’s hard to keep my hands off
Although it’s not showing in CellarTracker, I’m pretty sure I’ve had a '17, also, but apparently have sloppy record keeping!
Ended up opening a '17 and it was superb. I think the harder years result in slightly leaner wines, which, to my palate, are absolutely gorgeous. Maybe I should phrase it “slightly less robust” wines–in no way was this lacking in depth, flavor, fruit, etc., but it is incredible right out of the bottle.
Also had a '12 Next of Kyn two nights ago, although we opened it later in the evening (and after a cocktail) so I think I missed experiencing it more fully. There was some left in the bottle last night and I had a glass and I think it was better after 24 hours (albeit the bottle was re-corked) than it was the first night.
BTW, am I the only one drinking my Krankl wines?
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no, it’s just a bit more of a rarity over here 
I do appreciate your notes!
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I appreciate your notes also. I just made the decision to pass on the current NOK release. The current box prices out to well over $300 a bottle delivered. I can’t justify paying that much for NOK, TT and SQN. TT seems more differentiated from SQN than NOK so I’m keeping it for the time being.
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I had the chance to try my first SQN a couple weeks ago, bottle of 2014 SQN Syrah Capo dei Putti Eleven Confessions. My notes on CT:
“Decanted for a hour. Deep ruby, slight purplish hue. Nose: Plush ripe black fruit, black cherry, black currant, blackberry, olives, herbaceous black currant leaf, tomato leaf. Pronounced palette of unctuous black fruit, black cherry, black plum, blackberry, black pepper, slight red fruit of stewed red cherry and red plum. Vanilla, baking spices, cloves, spicy oak, leather, game. Full body, dry, high alcohol, med+ acid, med tannin, long finish. Wow, just a fruit bass bomb, intense black fruit with some slight red fruit that sneaks in after two hours. Very deep flavor notes, lots of oak, but not offensive and it works amazingly with the deep plush fruit. Doesn’t have the balance I generally look for in wines, but it is one of the more intensely flavored wines. I can see this aging more, but this is quite amazing right now. Take more time (3+ hours) if you prefer more balance. Paired amazingly with prime rib. 95-96pt”
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2013 Sine Qua Non Syrah Le Supplément Eleven Confessions Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast (4/29/2022)
This was opened to celebrate my in-laws 50th anniversary because this bottle seemed fitting to pair with ribeye. This bottle also worked as there is a picture of a woman holding two children on her hips and my wife & her brother are the only children they had. The wine was big, and bold, and seems to come across as having a lot of polish. Well-made doesn’t even begin to fully cover my thoughts on these wines. While I will admit that this is not a style of wine that I enjoy any longer…I can certainly see how so many people really love these wines. They are intensely perfumed and about fullest body that I’ve ever encountered on a wine. This very much feels like whole cream does in the mouth with a sense of coating the tongue, teeth, and mouth in a way that no other wine I’ve had does. Outstanding+
Posted from CellarTracker
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Thanks for the note, Michael. For my own edification, when you say it doesn’t have the balance you generally look for, what was missing for you?
Cheers,
Mark
No worries Mark, let me explain a little more! I had found the wine to be almost overpowering in terms of intensity and flavor for my personal palette. Specifically, the fruit was really big and ripe, and the oak was very prominent - but not in a bad way! To my palette, it fit very well in the presence of food, but I might have found it hard to drink by itself. Although by the third hour, it was starting to rein it in and that was also my favorite point of the wine. My drinking partners at the time loved the intensity and had no issues drinking it from opening.
Thanks for that perspective. I think sometimes people (not you!) will make a general comment about lack of balance without clarifying what it means for the specific wine and their specific palate, and I always find it more interesting and educational to hear more specific explanations. So thank you again!
can someone fill me in as to when the next release is? thanks
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From my purchase history, the fall release is within the first 2 weeks of August
last night: 2013 Sine Qua Non Résisté - wow, wow what a wine! Packed with tropical fruit, just a crazy, complex, wild wine. Outstanding.
Also, 2017 Andremily EABA - holy crap, this stuff is great.
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Had a 2014 Gallinta Rose at a friend’s 51st birthday lunch yesterday. Still muscularly built for an 8 year old rose!
I’ve had some older rosés from Manfred and they age. Not a shrinking violet, drink-it-chilled-to-get-drunk-by-the-pool kind of wines. It took me a while to appreciate them because I was expecting a drink-it-chilled-to-get-drunk-by-the-pool kind of wine–I should have known better!
2011 Dark Blossom Syrah - dark fruits, nice beam of acidity, black pepper, black olive and really spectacular balance.
I trumpet this too much, but I particularly love what Manfred does in cooler vintages.
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