Sine Qua Non Trouver l'Arène Syrah 2015

Dr. Owen Bargreen

The stunning, profound and downright decadent ‘Trouver l’arene’ Syrah is an opulent blend of 80.5% Syrah, with 7% Petite Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache and 3.5% Viognier, which were sourced from their estate vineyards. The wine was aged in both neutral and new French oak for 22 months prior to bottling. On the nose this exudes class with sagebrush accents that collide with the blueberry pie, blackberry cordial and potpourri aromatics that all build steam in the glass. The texture to this wine exudes class. Ripe black cherry syrup, Turkish coffee, tar and leather with shades of sweetened licorice all impress on the palate. While a delight to savor in its youth, this stunning wine will evolve well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2035- 99

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

Deep ruby red. Decanted for almost 4 hours. Powerful nose with olives, black bramble berries, tar, baking spices and gravel. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Layered palate with black currants, black olives, a touch savory, herbs, cinnamon and a little dark bit of dark crushed gravel. Long and lingering finish. Drink till 2038. (97+) One of my favorite Syrah based wines for sure. This 2015 is made up of 80.5% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Mourvèdre, 3.5% Viognier and 2% Grenache. The fruit comes from three of the four estate vineyards: 37% The Third Twin, 36% Eleven Confessions and 27% Cumulus. Fermented separately with around 34% whole bunches and then aged for 22 months in a mix of new and used French oak barrels. Thank you Drew for givining this some extra decant time for us! $$$$$ - Purchased at RARE Steakhouse in Washington, DC for Restaurant week for $165.00, yes that is the price. Average retail is around $364.00.

Lee Pitofsky

Tremendous depth, length and intensity. Rich blackberry, black raspberry, phenomenal palate coating texture, a hint smokey, spicy herbs, exotic flowers and spices, incredibly long finish. Dynamite.

Michael Morris

Wine Director The Park Café

Typical beast of a wine from SQN. Some nice aromatics considering this needs at least 5 years. Discriptors would read like everything I usually hate in wine yet somehow Manfred makes it work, and quite well

Shay A

As if Part 1 of Saturday night wasn’t incredible enough, Part 2 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH was all Sine Qua Non wines. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people. I couldn’t count how many people kept picking up their glass to smell this over and over. For me, this was nose of the night (maybe the weekend?). Blueberry pie, nutmeg, cinnamon and milk chocolate shavings on the nose. The palate is massive and young...needed hours to come around. Powerful core of pipe tobacco, tar, smoked meat, and grilled dark fruit. This will likely hit perfection (for my style) in a few years and am glad to own one. Thank you for bringing, @Carl Fischer .

Eric L.

Delicious wine. I think it needs more air than we could give it tonight, but still a big, delicious mouthful of a wine. Blueberry, baking spices, and a bit of smoke. There was a bit of funk that I think would have blown off if we had time to let it breathe longer.

Winton Sweum

Deep, dark color; black fruits, blueberry, and lavender on the nose; more black fruit on the palate finishing with ripe tannins; still unevolved. Think top Côte-Rôtie.

Jim McCusker

Also fantastic...but needs a few years to develop.

Paul T- Huntington Beach

Too young, but it’s Friday & I’m still working on the yard Jeb & Parker 100 3 left to age a bit more Definitely needs years not hours,

Jeffrey Long

Fantastic wine for our first evening in the desert. Surprisingly loose and ready to go upon opening. As with most SQNs, this wine is better enjoyed on its own, unadulterated by accompanying food. Wish I hadn’t ordered any.