Opened one two weeks ago myself. Smoking.
2015 Trouver LâArlene Syrah. This is the second time Iâve drank this wine in the last month. The first was very close to being a pop and pour. This time it was with a 3.5 hour decant. The extra time made a huge difference. The wine was singing - blue/black fruit, but with plenty of lift. I think this has plenty of time, so no rush to open. If you do open now, I strongly recommend the long decant.
Although I often pop-and-pour, anything less than 10 years old benefits from at least an hour, preferably 2-3. Back in the day I remember decanting JFTLOI something like 24 hours in advance and was singing. Maybe a bit extreme, but the experience in the glass was worth it 
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Iâve had three Grenaches recently.
The 2011 Dark Blossom is still singing. Along with the 2017, this is one of my favorite âoffâ vintages ever, because it certainly wasnât âoffâ for Manfred. Still quite dark, dense, but light on its feet.
The 2016 Pajarito del Amor was also superb. My first bottle of this (I normally try each wine right off the UPS truck, but in the process of moving a couple vintages ended up getting missed), it was no slouch. As seem to be my impressions for most Eleven Confessionsâ wines, this tends more towards structure and being built for the long-haul. Still approachable, but Iâd guess this has 10+ years of additional age relative to the 2016 Dirt Vernacular (which already seems like it has a long life ahead of it).
Finally, opened a 2018 Profuga last night. This seemed a little more fruit-forward and ârichâ than the other wines, but remains in the same vein.
I kind of wish I had opened them all togetherâalthough there is a âfamilyâ resemblance, when tasted side-by-side I always find the SQN wines to be very different from one another.
I never say off, but in cooler vintages, SQN and Saxum really shine for me, especially on the Grenache side of the spectrum.
Thanks for taking one for team on 2016 and 2018.
I was thinking in terms of how often the weather is amazing in California and on the rare occasions that it is jacked up during harvest it is âoffâ. But youâre totally rightâcool, or even wet or challenging, are all better ways to describe 2011.
Taking a 2008 Kolibri to lunch for wifeâs BDay, will add notes.
Wine was a bit warm to start, 69% Roussanne, 31% ViognierâŠso before the Petit Manseng years with M&EâŠonce it cooled down had a nose of mango, pineapple, basil, and red apple, the palate is rich without being ponderous, and has great acidity that cuts thru the pineapple notes to refresh your palate.
Great with shrimp, crab, and tuna.
Had the 2015 ChimĂšre and the 2006 Raven Grenache (from magnum) last night (my wifeâs b-day 
Both were great and the Raven in particular was indicative of how the larger formats slows the aging process. Incredibly youthfulâif tasted blind I would have guessed no older than 5-7-years old.
First time Iâve had this vintage of ChimĂšre. A very feminine MourvĂšdre that was both intellectual and a crowd pleaser.
Also had the 2018 Next of Kyn NĂșmero Quatro Touriga Nacional. I like this grape
In other news I broke three Zaltos while cleaning them today. First time I broke one, so I decided to really go for it 
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We need to drink some SQN together, let me know if you get to Seattle or Boise.
Hi Kris,
We have friends not too far from Boiseâif we ever get out there Iâll try to remember to give you a heads up!
Opened a 2009 ââŠUpside Downâ Grenache last night. Popped and poured, it was really tasty. Could have benefited from some more air, and the restaurant where we took it was way too warm (the Texas heat wave isnât helping things) but it was in a great place and tasted young. Not sure this will be the longest-lasting SQN, but itâs got an easy 10 years in front of it Iâd guess. There is still a primary richness, but it shows some hints of whatâs coming in terms of leather, tea, some brown spices, but mostly itâs red and blue fruits.
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Opened a 2009 Next of Kyn and it was spectacular. Incredibly youthful, focused, structured. Iâm guessing this one has a long, long life ahead but I wonât be waiting that long.
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Simply outstanding, fully resolved tannins, deep dark fruited, with a fantastic meaty/gamey aspect I adore. Broad on the palate, dense but never overbearing, and a long finish.
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Awesome! Whereâd you enjoy this beaut?
A little place we like in Forest Grove, OR - Urban Decanter, nice little place with a limited but very tasty menu
2009 SQN Upside Down Grenache 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre. Nose with layers of black fruits, licorice, barrel spice, and some red cherry. Palate is lithe and balanced with fruit and a bright acidity withe the barrel falling to the background. Has really great energy to go with ftuit and spice.
In a great drinking window at age 13 or cellar for 10 more.
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Iâve been meaning to pop one that I keep seeing when I walk in my cellarâwill need to put it on the short list.
Since the last time I posted Iâve opened the following:
2012 Eleven Confessions Touché Syrah
2014 Piranha Waterdance
2013 Grenache Female
2018 NUESTRA SENORA DEL TERCER GEMELO The Third Twin vineyard
2016 The Third Twin Graciano
The Graciano absolutely killed it. And the Nuestra. That vineyard (TTT) is pumping out some seriously good fruit.
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A friend came over tonight. He has ALS and it is in the latter stagesâabsolutely hellish disease. That said, we opened a Hated Hunter (2017 Syrah) and a Subir (2016 Eleven Confessions Syrah). Both were great. The Subir needs some decanting (Iâd say at least 4 hours) while the Hated Hunter was awesome PnP.
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Sorry to hear that, ALS is a horrible disease.
Nice to share some great bottles.
Recently opened a 2012 Grenache Stein. Drinking beautifully at 10 years old. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Deep nose of mixed dark fruits and baking spices. Rich full flavors of cherries, mixed berries and plums. Medium acidity, medium tannin, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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Opened the 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim. Screamed central coast Rhone. Dark crimson in color, very pretty floral nose including blackberries, black cherry and terrain driven minerality. Medium bodied wine and tasted very balanced with great structure-not an over the top syrup bomb that you can sometimes get from other producers trying to replicate the SQN experience from SB County and Paso Robles. A sexy polished superb wine that will hold for a very long time.
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