Shay A

9.5

Opened for a buddy’s birthday, alongside a 2005 Tatty Comtes, 2015 Cristal, 2018 Realm Falstaff and 2023 Kobayashi M/R.

I still remember my first Allemand seven years ago and how it immediately reeled me in and every bottle since has been the exact same. The rusticity and feral nature of Cornas is why for me, as a Syrah fanboy, it’s the best and most pure region for this wonderful grape.

Removed cork about an hour before pouring. Initial notes of olive, black pepper spice and herbs, some smoked meat and a brief blood-orange citrus aromatic. Deep red/black in the glass. There’s a layer of brett (low level, adds to the intrigue, doesn’t detract) and lavender bouquet before peppered strip, herbs, raspberries and blackberries, and a sanguine tang hit the palate. Not sure of whole cluster use here but seems there’s a little bit (which I love). Wild but civilized. Medium-plus bodied with beautiful acidity and plenty of tannin for this to cruise years. On the early side, but these are so hard to resist in every phase.

I wish I could drink this every day. I need to find a wine of similar style at a better price point. — 2 days ago

Shay A

9.3

My last of three bottles. When I first had this a couple years ago, I was smitten. I love Marsanne in all forms and thought this was (and is) a fun expression.

Opened alongside a 2020 Vasse Felix Filius Chardonnay and a 2021 Cloudburst Chardonnay, so three Aussie whites. Honeycomb galore aromatically…honey drizzled tropical fruits, honeyed marcona almonds, spiced pear. Texturally this has all the waxy and rich Marsanne notes but there is a distinct plantain note alongside burnt vanilla that jump out. It’s warm, rich and full-bodied but a great expression from Australia. Great pairing with garlic fries!

Followed over a few days and stayed consistent. Based on how this is drinking now and the style it was made in, consuming these in the next few years is probably best if you are looking to enjoy a balanced profile. — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.4

Thought I had a couple more of these but realized after the last glass that this was my last 2019! A perfect wine for early Fall in Texas.

I don’t recall the makeup of this vintage, but I’m assuming it’s close to the usual Syrah/Mourvèdre blend.

Followed over two days.

Translucent ruby in the glass. Massive aromatics of ripe black raspberries, peppered strawberry purée and cherry jerky notes on both the nose and palate. There’s a hint of green herbs/whole cluster spice but not overpowering. At 6yrs, this “rosé” is settling in and showed very balanced and less hot than they can show when young. Shockingly, the last glass I had on day two was my favorite sip. So much flavor and depth in a wine that falls in to its own category (along with Antica Terra’s Angelicall rosé and maybe a handful of others). — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.2

I’m in the 92+ range here. Didn’t know how a 12yr Paso Tempranillo would show, but I was pleasantly surprised.

87 temp/ 10 Grenache/ 3 Zinfandel

Everything about this was Paso but I appreciated the slight Tempranillo vibe it pulled off. As I’ve mentioned before, well made Paso wines have this weightless richness to them and while this wasn’t as nimble as others, it smells like Paso through and through. Big, rich, baked dark fruits aromatically with baking spices and some oak presence but a floral note appears with time. Where the fruit presents dark aromatically, it takes a slightly red-fruited turn on the palate with some herbal spice, cherry-vanilla pipe tobacco and plenty of tannin to show its Tempranillo profile.

Followed over two days and stayed strong. Pop and enjoy. — 3 months ago

Shay A

This bottle was opened for a very special occasion as a friend was recently diagnosed with cancer and wanted to have a group get together to open great bottles before treatment impacts taste and smell. This friend has opened a lot of SQN over the years and I knew this bottle was meant for such a thing as this. Opened alongside 2016 Scarecrow Tot’s Opium Dream, 2001 Petrus (corked), mag of 2004 Cristal Rosé, 2016 Chimere, 1986 Haut Brion, 1998 Grange, 2013 Second Flight and more.

82 Grenache/ 18 Syrah/. Over half of the fruit was from Alban.

Cork was mostly soaked. Color was still deep ruby, though some fading around the rim is taking place (it’s 24yrs old, after all). Aromatics of stewed red and black berry fruits, liqueur, potpourri, black pepper and sweet tobacco. Still retaining great flavor and concentration on the palate, yet the fresh Grenache profile has faded…less spiced rhubarb and herbal than it is raspberry fig, ripe blackberries, dark chocolate, and some chewing tobacco leaves toward the finish. The alcohol is warm but doesn’t stick out much. Good acidity and tannin but obviously on the downward trend (not made back then to hold this long!). However, trying these old SQNs is always a special treat.

If tasted blind, I think I would have called early ‘00s CdP.

93pts, but 100pts in my book due to the occasion. — 2 days ago

Shay A

9.6

I feel like I haven’t opened a Napa cab (or any wine, for that matter) in recent memory that struck me the way this one did in terms of absolute peak drinking. Both fortunately (because I love the wines) and unfortunately (I was priced out of Realm a few years ago) this was undeniably in the zone amongst a table of ‘13 Bryant DB4, ‘07 Insignia, ‘12 Kapscandy Estate Reserve, and others.

Pop and pour. Extremely aromatic with dark fruits (more blue and black side of the spectrum) and dark florals (violets)…very Pritchard Hill. The texture of this wine is a modern marvel…how a 2013 100% Cabernet from PH can be this sexy/opulent but still so bright is beyond me. The rich and dark fruit is surrounded by graphite, espresso, dark cocoa, and sweet (not tart) cassis that carry the weightless yet flavor packed profile to a finish that lingers. Plenty of tannin and acid to keep this balanced for years, but this is absolutely the zenith of where it will be for balance of flavors. Don’t miss this window.

I haven’t been this star struck on a mid-aged Napa cab in a while, but this has it all. After opening the 2015 Realm Dr Crane earlier this year, this was more impressive (and DrCrane is my favorite vineyard). Wish Realm was still in my “realm” of purchasing! — 2 months ago

Shay A

9.2

I’m in the 91+ range here. Had hoped for a more wow experience but this was simply solid and that’s ok. Not all wines need to be stunners.

80 Grenache/ 15 Mourvèdre/ 5 Syrah. Followed from bottle over the course of two hours.

To this wine’s credit, it presented exactly as it should. Warm 2015 vintage type profile which extracts the Grenache (ripe red fruits, sweet spice, little heat) but also accentuates/deepens the garrigue/potpurri profile. Alcohol pokes out a touch on the palate but it’s mostly juicy red berry fruit, little bit of dirty fig, herbal. On the whole, this is a very clean style of CdP that presents with no Brett/funk but also speaks to Grenache (as opposed to being a typical super CdP blend). Drink or hold another 3-5yrs for this window. — 3 months ago

Shay A

9.2

On my second trip to Alsace, we stumbled upon this winery by accident. A cancellation by Barmes Buecher gave us the opportunity to take a cold and sleepy drive up through Bergheim and in to Rorschwihr where we were welcomed by quite the views and wines. One of the bottles I brought home.

Known for producing wines that are at peak (almost late) maturity, all wines have plenty of fruit and off-dry profiles (ideally picking right before botrytis sets in), and all wines are released when deemed ready (as this 2015 was, as well as a 2003 Pinot Blanc).

It’s not common to see 100% auxerrois as it’s normally blended with Pinot Blanc, as adds a touch more body and honey. Mission achieved here. Deep golden color. Lovely aromatics of spiced pears and honeyed tropical fruits. Maturity and sweetness are balanced on the palate with so much fresh honey yet not cloying or stepping in to dessert wine territory. Not a lesson is complexity, but certainly a lesson in how some of these grape that are normally consumed early can age properly.

Followed over three days and experienced a consistent profile. The residual sugar will certainly help carry this a while. No rush. — 10 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Unique offering from Marie Courtin. Aged in amphora 11 months. Zero dosage.

60 Chardonnay/ 35 Pinot Blanc/ 5 Arbane

Not sure I’ve had an amphora aged champagne before, but it’s hard to not sense a creaminess in the texture that I’m assuming was intentional. Intense cheesy-leesy aromatics with plenty of spiced ripe fruits (pear, white peach, lemon). Yeasty but restrained. Not as powerful as other Marie Courtin champagnes but plenty ripe, suave, and balanced. My mind kept wondering what a simple gram or two of dosage would do to this to lengthen the semi-short finish, but this was lovely. I need to seek another out.

To this wines’ credit, it was amongst 2008 and 2015 Cristal, 2000 Krug CdM, Prevost La Closerie, and other grower champagnes and more than held its own. — 18 days ago

Shay A

9.3

93-94 range

Hard to believe this is a 17yr old WA state Syrah. 100% varietal, all from Les Collines vineyard. 13.9ABV

Sporting a deep purple color even at 17yrs, this feels like it is just now entering prime time. Big aromatics of peppered smoked meats, whole cluster/green herbs, red and blackberry fruits. Floral and balanced with fruit but spices/herbs in the background. Where Cayuse (and all Christophe Baron/Rocks district) wines trend to the savory/sanguine profile (which I enjoy), this balances the dark fruit, smoky/charcoal, savory/spice driven side of Syrah in its typical rustic/feral profile. Nice bridge between cool climate New World Syrah and ripe vintage Cornas. Finish is more vibrant and less requiring of food as the CB wines do.

Followed over three days and shockingly held up. If you have a bottle, open and enjoy but no immediate rush. — 2 months ago