2004 Sine Qua Non "Poker Face" Syrah [WA97][JD96][V96]

Producer: Sine Qua Non 
Region:  Central Coast, California  
Blend: 96% Syrah, 2.5% Mourvedre, 1.5% Viognier 
Year: 2004  

Wine Advocate, 97 Points 

"Starting off the Syrah-based wines, the 2004 Poker Face (Syrah) is aging beautifully. A blend of 96% Syrah, 2.5% Mourvedre and 1.5% Viognier (from the Eleven Confessions, White Hawk, Alban, Bien Nacido, and Alta Mesa vineyards) that was aged in 80% new French oak, it offers up a perfumed, fresh bouquet of sweet blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, spring flowers and licorice that gives way to a full-bodied, seamless, gorgeously textured feel on the palate. Rich and decadent, it has notable, yet beautifully integrated acidity and stays remarkably fresh, detailed and even elegant. It still needs a lengthy decant to shine, and will continue to thrill over the coming decade or so." 

Jeb Dunnuck, 96 Points 

"The 2004 Sine Qua Non Syrah Poker Face is a phenomenal wine that shows rich, decadent fruit with black currant, blackberry and subtle blueberry notes backed up by vanilla and integrated, toasty oak aromas. Full bodied and amazingly precise, the palate is perfectly balanced, elegant, rich and amazingly long. Despite all of the upfront fruit in this wine, the structure and back-end level of concentration is rock solid. This was decanted for an hour and then drank over the evening with dinner and while it lacks some complexity on the nose at the moment, the depth and richness of the fruit mixed with the lightness and perfection on the palate is a stunning mix." 

Vinous, 96 Points 

"The 2004 Syrah Poker Face remains deep, inky and powerful, even at eleven years of age. A host of black cherry, chocolate, licorice and smoke meld together in this dark, voluptuous Syrah. As good as the 2004 is, it's also quite clear just how far Sine Qua Non has come since the Poker Face was made. The blend is 96% Syrah, with drops of Mourvèdre and Viognier. Vineyard sources are 33% Eleven Confessions, 27% White Hawk, 22% Alban, 16% Bien Nacido and 3% Alta Mesa." 

Alcohol: 15.5% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.