Kuhnhenn Nine (Syrah)

12oz bottle. Sweeter aroma without some of the more aggressive wine tannin that I was expecting. Fudge dipped banana. Mild barrel presence. A bit of black and white pepepr spice. Cinnamon. Wet leather. Candied ginger. Pours a very nice looking ruby/brown with a very thin white head. Much more wine presence on the tongue than on the nose. Structured and peppery tannin. Some fruity esters to remind me that this a Dubbel rather than a glass of wine. Tart and assertive. Peppery and fruity at the same time. Excellent use of the barrel for sure. 10.5%? Hardly! Tart grape and dark cherry skin. Firm on the tongue with with plenty of tannic elements to hold my interest. Finishes dry, acidic, peppery... very nice! The surprise gem of the evening! Thanks Eben!

I immediately noticed the very interesting aroma on this. Has some barrel and sweetness with some roast. Wow, this is very nice! Very interesting, filled with some good flavours. Lightly fizzy and lively on the tongue. The wine barrel adds a very interesting dimension to this. Kind of organic and earthy, has some sharpness and a bit of an aftertaste of...not sour, but something like it. The barrel is apparent and subtle with a bit of a wine like finish that is dry and lingering.

Vintage 2005. Chris! Another helpless thanks for this gorgeous rarity. Robust cherry wood pour appearing still. Bitter chocolate, sweet-spicy red bell pepper, some vinousness, and bittersweet caramel in an aroma framed in belgian candy sugars, banana and calm bitter nuttiness. The tannic presence is so firm and deep that the residing nuances seem to rest in wine rather than in beer, while the characters of the dubbel are amply present.

Wildflower honey and sweet red bell pepper in the flavor, with a heavy black cherry and chocolate-rubbed mango sweetness that’s as rich in sophistication as it is in decadence. Tannic oak barrel, meaty warmth, vanilla, and citrus juices; acidity is gorgeously polished and laid at ease, while the richness of the fruit qualities never seem too reticent. It’s amazing how the wine characteristics are so lush and frontal, full of smacking fruit and richness, while the doughy qualities of the belgian yeasts and deep malts lay firmly enough underneath to provide counterpoint to a conceptively dry tannic texture.

Full body is oily and mostly uncarbonated, which is suitable. Finishes warm on oak; alcohol astonishingly imperceivable. A wholly satisfying, contemplative campfire experience, in which better barrel aging could not be achieved. Beautiful.

Thank you Styles for this bottle! Poured a medium reddish/brown color with a very small sized off white head. Aromas of oak, vinous, dark fruits (cherries), wood, caramel, and some vanilla. Nice. Tastes of wood, vanilla, lighter vinous quality, caramel, and some dark fruits. Light alcohol in the finish but overall well hidden.

Poured a murky ruby brown color with a medium sized, light tan head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of oak, light nuts, some caramel, vanilla, and winish notes. Taste of syrah, vanilla, oaky tannins, caramel, sherry, and light alcohol in the finish. Thanks Steve!