902. Sine Qua Non, Dark Blossom Syrah Central Coast, 2011

c. $300; 15.5%

My Sine Qua Non virginity lost at the BYOB Bordeaux dinner, with this Syrah, and a Grenache blend. Apparently these are getting $300 a bottle on the mailing list. But ultimately not for me. Aromatically fairly refined, and show some degree of cool-climate black pepper Syrah character, but with very ripe black fruit beneath. But what was most marked on both wines was the palate texture – literally thick with glycerol! Fuller bodied than any dry wine I’ve ever drunk. Sweet, jammy fruit. Quite long though.