Sine Qua Non California Cult Rhone Tasting Saturday, March 21st 7:30 PM and all the Sine Qua Non in the store on SALE!!
"I think it is a great
error to consider a heavy tax on wines as a tax on luxury. On the
contrary, it is a tax on the health of our citizens." - Thomas
Jefferson
If only a modern-day politician could contribute as much to
the quality of our life as the late great Thomas Jefferson. He was one of the first advocates of wine in
the United States and he is one of the reasons why we have the greatest
selection of wines from all around the world in the U.S. today. So, remember...no matter how bad it gets, we
still have great wines here in the U.S. of A.
In a few weeks we will be continuing the party with some GREAT
wines from the U.S.A…. I need a few good men or women to help me drink some
really fine wine on this occasion- our annual Sine Qua Non California Cult Rhone
wine tasting.
What makes a "cult wine"? Do the producers pick
the grapes at night under the full moon? Do they make it under a secret oath or
while sacrificing a small farm animal? These ultra expensive, hard to find
wines from California, Oregon and Washington State just have more customers
than they do bottles to go around. The
simplest factor in the economy kicks in with these wines, good old supply and
demand.
This evening you can taste 10 different wines from Sine Qua
Non for less than the cost of a single bottle in most cases! And the price of this event includes dinner
and gratuity!! The fee for this tasting
is $395 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Sine Qua Non California
Cult Rhone Tasting
Saturday, March 21st
7:30 PM
2022 Sine Qua Non Distenta IV White California
2017 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Grenache
2017 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Syrah
2018 Sine Qua Non Grenache Profuga California
2019 Sine Qua Non Distenta I Grenache California
2020 Sine Qua Non Distenta I Grenache California USA
2021 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Vineyard Grenache, Sta Rita Hills
2021 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Vineyard Syrah, Sta Rita Hills
2022 Sine Qua Non Distenta IV Grenache California
2023 Sine Qua Non Distenta V Syrah, California
Menu
Selection
of Cheese and Charcuterie
Seared
Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Sauteed Wild Mushrooms and Grilled Brioche Toast
Seared
Ancho BBQ King Salmon Served over Black Bean Puree with Roasted Pepper Salsa
Colorado
Rack of Lamb with Mongolian BBQ and Sweet Potato Au Gratin
Dark
Chocolate Creme Brulee with Raspberry Coulis
The fee for this
tasting which includes dinner is $395 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463
or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. Please let us know when you make
your reservations if you have issues and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to
accommodate you.
A bit about Sine Qua Non from their
web page:
"an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely
necessary."
Our wines were born of pure passion and a wishful dream – to
make something that is so distinctive and so delicious as to make it
indispensable to wine lovers the world over. Clearly a rather lofty, even
unrealistic notion, but one we decided to pursue anyway. And so with the 1994
vintage started Sine Qua Non, made a
whopping four and a half barrels of Syrah that we called “Queen of Spades.”
That first wine was a much greater hit than we could have
ever imagined and it literally changed our life. What started as a hobby, more
or less on a whim, has become not only our full time occupation, but indeed our
life. It is now a part of just about everything we do.
These first four and a half barrels have grown into four
different vineyard sites (see our Vineyards section please), a good number of
wonderfully dedicated and hard working employees, a new winery building and a
simply amazing number of loyal wine lovers the world over. In fact there are so
very many lovely folks interested in our wines that we don’t have enough to go
around and instead had to create something as annoying as a waiting list.
We are humbled by all the positive feedback we continuously
receive by people like you as well as critics and journalists from all corners
of the earth. We take that as our mandate to forever strive to get better, to
never compromise and to stay true to ourselves and by extension to all those
who have supported us and believed in us since those first 100+ cases of wine
left our cellar…now so many years ago.
Although at heart we are a Rhone (Ranger) house where Syrah
and Grenache play top fiddle… supported by Mourvedre, Rousanne and Viognier, we
have an aversion to labels and dogmas or mindless ritual that are sometimes
called tradition. And so we also grow non-Rhone-origin grapes such as Petite
Manseng, Touriga Nacional, Graciano and Petite Sirah. Varieties we believe can
work well on a Rhone canvas.
We are not working on a grape growing or winemaking THESIS.
Instead we want all of our efforts to be reflected in every glass of SQN. And
so our goal has been and always will be to understand Mother Nature’s often
oblique ways and (re)act accordingly so that we may create wines that express
all that Nature has so generously given us. And all that this beautifully warm
and sunny place called California has to offer. Wines that speak to the heart
and the mind both. Wines that are ripe and flavorful, but also graceful and
balanced. Wines that are perfectly
enjoyable and delicious young, but that
will age and show a new and interesting personality with each passing year.
Wines that surprise with each sip and where the last drop – not the first sip –
was the best one. Wines that make you smile and happy and appreciate all that
is lovely.
Wines that make you sense they were crafted by people who
loved making them.
With that we hope you’ll join our vinous family and thanks
again for looking us up.
In vino veritas,
Elaine & Manfred
Krankl
All the Sine Qua Non in the store on SALE!!
2022 Sine Qua Non Distenta IV White California
Price: $250.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(98 Points) The 2022 White Wine Distenta IV is a blend of
32% Roussanne, 30% Gelber Muskateller, 15% Chardonnay, 13% Petit Manseng, and
the rest Viognier, aged 22.5 months in 75% new French oak. Medium gold in
color, it offers blockbuster aromas of honeyed pineapple, orange marmalade,
flower oil, and blanched almond. Full-bodied, deep, and opulent on the palate,
it has a layered, powerful mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish.
It comes closest in style to a great Hermitage from Le Méal yet carries an
exotic quality that makes it truly singular. Drink 2025-2035. -Jeb Dunnuck (Sep 2025)
2022 Sine Qua Non Distenta IV Grenache California
Price: $285.00 Your
Price: $250.80 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(98 Points)
"Because my visit was scheduled for July 6, just two weeks after
bottling on June 22, I tasted the Sine Qua Non Grenache Distenta III as a
precise blend from barrel. It comes mostly from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard
(71%) and The Third Twin (23%) with the balance from the Cumulus Vineyard. It
is a blend of 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, 3.2% Petite Sirah, 1.6%
Petit Manseng and 0.4% Muscat. The Distenta III was vinified using about 35%
whole Grenache clusters, and it matured in 42% new French oak of various sizes
for around 23 months. It has a medium to deep ruby color and is incredibly
fragrant at this stage. Wild berry jam aromas are accented by tones of
wildflower, tar, tangerine and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is concentrated
yet lively, bursting with crunchy, floral fruit and surprisingly energetic
acidity. It has detailed, grainy tannins and a long, lifted finish that wears
its alcohol well. 1,459 cases and 600 magnums are projected, to be released in
the spring of 2024." -Robert Parker
2021 Sine Qua Non Distenta Grenache,
California Magnum
Price: $1050.00 Your
Price: $924.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
2021 Sine Qua Non Distenta Grenache,
California
Price: $350.00 Your
Price: $308.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
(98 Points) "Because my visit was scheduled for July 6, just two
weeks after bottling on June 22, I tasted the 2021 Grenache Distenta III as a
precise blend from barrel. It comes mostly from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard
(71%) and The Third Twin (23%) with the balance from the Cumulus Vineyard. It
is a blend of 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, 3.2% Petite Sirah, 1.6%
Petit Manseng and 0.4% Muscat. The Distenta III was vinified using about 35%
whole Grenache clusters, and it matured in 42% new French oak of various sizes
for around 23 months. It has a medium to deep ruby color and is incredibly
fragrant at this stage. Wild berry jam aromas are accented by tones of
wildflower, tar, tangerine and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is
concentrated yet lively, bursting with crunchy, floral fruit and surprisingly
energetic acidity. It has detailed, grainy tannins and a long, lifted finish
that wears its alcohol well. 1,459 cases and 600 magnums are projected, to be
released in the spring of 2024."
"There are few greater success
stories in wine than that of Sine Qua Non’s Manfred Krankl. Austrian-born and
showing up penniless in Los Angeles in 1980, he went on to create one of the
greatest wine estates in the world today by sheer talent and work
ethic." The Wine Advocate
2021 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Grenache, Sta Rita Hills
Price: $487.50 Your
Price: $429.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
The measurements on this model are:
86.1% Grenache, 8.5% Syrah, 4.4% Petite Sirah and a bit of high notes
from 1.0% WHITE (Viognier). Here only 45% of the fruit was destemmed and a
whopping 55% was fermented with the stems. The longer I’m in this profession
the better I like “ripe” stems on Grenache. 29% of the barrels here were brand
new, but ALL of them were larger Demi-Muids (that’s what the French call them).
They are 600 Liter vessels versus the 225 or 228 Liter Bordeaux/Burgundy ones.
This too spent nearly 39 months in barrel, meditating and self-improving until
it was ready to leave the cocoon.
No highfalutin critic has tasted this either, but the toughest one…whom I
call E has, and the first words out of her mouth were…“Mmm…that is
delicious!!!” And she is no easy push-over, I can promise you that. The color
is impressively dark too. Not as black as the Syrah, but fairly remarkable for
a Grenache. There is a bright nose that is faintly spicy with red peppercorn,
orange peel and even some chamomile tea. In the mouth the wine is VERY soft and
supple. There is a certain lifted density and flavors of pure red berry
potpourri. It feels very pure and unblemished, like fresh fallen snow that
hasn’t had someone trample through it yet. There are some luxurious leather
flavors too. E loves it and so do I. It has an extravagantly long finish.
Happiness in a bottle, pure succulence.
2021 SINE QUA NON DISTENTA SYRAH,
CALIFORNIA, USA MAGNUM
Price: $1050.00 Your
Price: $924.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
(98-100 Points) "I tasted the 2021 Syrah Distenta III as a precise
blend from barrel on July 6—it's due to be bottled in August. It comes from
three estate vineyards: The Third Twin (51%), Cumulus (26%) and 23% Eleven
Confessions (23%). The Syrah is blended with 11.3% Grenache, 3.3% Mourvèdre,
2.1% Petite Sirah, 0.9% Petit Manseng and 0.7% Muscat and was vinified using
21% whole clusters. It matured around 23 months in 53% new French oak, 43% one-
to three-year-old barrels and 4% concrete. Opaque ruby-purple in the glass, the
Distenta III's aromatic complexity requires plenty of patience, as a singular
truffle, earth and coffee bean character gives way to electric streaks of crème
de violette, blueberry liqueur and peppermint patty. The palate is medium to
full-bodied and exceptionally light on its feet. It glides silkily through the
mouth with fireworks of freshness, and its floral fruit is tempered by graphite
tones. Around 1,880 cases and 600 magnums are projected to be released in
January of 2024." The Wine Advocate
2021 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Syrah, Sta Rita Hills
Price: $487.50 Your
Price: $429.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
The assemblage is 85.0% Syrah, 9.7% Grenache, 1.3% Petite Sirah and 4.0%
WHITES (Muskat and Viognier). 77% of the fruit was destemmed and 23% was left
to ferment whole cluster (WITH the stems). That wine aggregation was left in
barrels for +/- 38.5 months, with 52% of those barrels being brand new, and the
rest between 1 to 4 years old, ALL in French oak. I am sure this is of no
surprise to you when I write that this wine is no wimp, but one could say it is
surprising how mellow, how well behaved, how elegant this is... No critic has
tasted it yet, but E and I have had it several times…just a few days ago most
recently. My notes state:
Great, SUPER dark, but brilliant color. There is a very deep nose of
graphite, tree sap, stewed ripe red cherries, wet stone, myrrh and exotic
flower pedals. It is a lively nose, but not obscene. The palate is super lush
and velvety and rather pleasantly giving. There is a delightful, almost
playful, vivaciousness here and an alluring, satiny feel. It is very friendly
and pleasing, unpretentious and its elegance sneaks up on you. The wine is
tightly woven, so that no piece, no fancy description sticks out, but rather
makes for a harmonious whole. You don’t want to stop drinking it.
2020 SINE QUA NON DISTENTA I GRENACHE
CALIFORNIA USA MAGNUM
Price: $1150.00 Your
Price: $1012.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
77.9% Grenache, 9.4% Mourvedre 7.9% Syrah 4.3% Petite Sirah and 0.5%
Viognier
(97-100 points) ... ...It's a ripe, sexy, insanely good barrel sample
that has remarkable purity, tons of black raspberry and cassis fruits, perfect
balance, full-bodied richness, and an already complex bouquet of violets,
spice, and flowers. I continue to be blown away by what this estate seems to
achieve with Grenache in just about every vintage. | Jeb Dunnuck for
jebdunnuck.com
2020 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
grenache California
Price: $487.50 Your
Price: $429.00 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(100 Points) The 2020 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard is another
absolutely heavenly wine from this estate, and it's easily one of the top wines
from California in 2020. Darker berries, tapenade, roasted herbs, and a bloody,
iron-like character define the aromatics, and it hits the palate with
full-bodied richness, a deep, stacked mid-palate, velvety tannins, and a great,
great finish. It reminds me of a Châteauneuf du Pape from the likes of
Jean-Paul Daumen and is a tour de force in Grenache that I wish every reader
could taste. Coming from a hot growing season, this beauty is powerful and full
throttle, yet like all of Manfred's wines, it holds onto a sense of purity,
balance, and elegance that's something to behold. Drink bottles any time over
the coming two decades. The blend is 82% Grenache, 13% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah,
and the rest Gelber Muskateller, fermented with 27% whole clusters, and aged 38
months in 41% new French oak. Review
Date: 08/2024, Jeb Dunnuck
2020 Sine Qua Non Distenta I Syrah
California Magnum
Price: $1150.00 Your
Price: $1012.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
2020 Sine Qua Non Distenta I Syrah
California
Price: $350.00 Your
Price: $308.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
82.9% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, 3.9% Mourvedre 3.4% Petite Sirah 2.3% Whites
(Petite Manseng & Muscat)
This royal majesticity is a palace dance group comprised of nothing less
than a wild 82.9% Syrah...Here only 16% of the fruit was whole cluster
fermented. For some reason, one I don't really fully understand, Syrah is more
quickly or more strongly impacted by the stems...I am super happy to report
that here too all of the fruit was ESTATE grown. What a pleasure it was to
write that. | Manfred Krankl for Sine Qua Non
2020 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Syrah
Price: $487.50 Your
Price: $429.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(99 Points) One of those singular,
powerhouse wines that will stop anyone in their tracks (well, its stopped me
anyways), the 2020 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard offers an insane nose of
bloody red and blue fruits, ground pepper, graphite, cured meats, and baking
spices, with some classic Sta. Rita Hills marine/salty sea breeze-like nuances.
With a dense, powerful mouthfeel, full-bodied aromas and flavors, massive
fruit, and building tannins, this beauty is going to benefit from 2-4 years in
the cellar and blow you away over the following two decades. It reminds me of
the 2005 Nail in my Cranium with its massive, powerful, yet flawlessly balanced
style, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see this evolve along the same trajectory
as that wine. The 2020 is 84% Syrah, 12% Grenache, and the rest Petite Sirah
and white varieties, fermented with one quarter whole clusters and aged 38
months in 58% new oak. Review Date:
08/2024 Jeb Dunnuck
2019 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Grenache, Sta Rita Hills, USA
Price: $495.00 Your
Price: $435.60 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(100 points) The late bottled 2019 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard
is another undeniably great wine from this incredible estate and it tops out my
scale. Based on 89% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah, and the balance Gelber
Muskateller (Muscat Blanc), all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the
Sta. Rita Hills, it spent 39 months in 50% new French oak, with the balance in
2- to 5-year-old barrels. It's a powerful, full-bodied, opulent Grenache that
brings to mind a great vintage of Domaine de Marcoux's Vieilles Vignes with its
gorgeous red and black fruits, smoked herbs, leather, and assorted spicy,
sandalwood, and peppery nuances. Full-bodied on the palate, it has flawless
balance, a deep, layered mid-palate, and velvety tannins. It brings that rare
mix of richness and elegance that only Grenache can. (8/2023)
Jeb Dunnuck
2019 SINE QUA NON DISTENTA I SYRAH
CENTRAL COAST Magnum
Price: $1150.00 Your
Price: $1012.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
(100 Points) The 2019 Syrah Distenta I is composed of 83.6% Syrah, 3%
Mourvedre, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 6.2% Grenache, 1.4% Muscat and 0.6% Petit
Manseng. “I think Muscat is the number-one white grape for me to blend with
reds,” Manfred told me last year. “It kinda triples the effect of the wine.”
The red winemaking included 33% whole cluster. The vineyard sources for this
wine are 35% The Third Twin, 33% Eleven Confessions, 31% Cumulus and 1% Molly
Aida—all estate-owned vineyards. Deep garnet-purple colored, it erupts from the
glass with a powerfully fragrant nose of red roses, Morello cherries,
boysenberries and juicy blueberries, followed by hints of mocha, star anise,
cardamom and cassia. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with
bright, crunchy black, blue and red fruits. It has a rock-solid structure of
firm, finely-grained tannins and seamless freshness lifting the shimmering
layers to a long, energetic finish. The complexity and vivacity of this Syrah
are simply jaw-dropping! Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2019 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Syrah Sta Rita Hills Usa
Price: $495.00 Your
Price: $435.60 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(99 points) The 2019 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is elegant and
perfumed and includes 13.1% Grenache, 3.3% Petite Sirah and just a
splash—0.8%—each of Viognier and Muskateller (a.k.a Muscat). It was crafted
with 13% whole clusters, matured in 66% new French oak for around 39 months and
was bottled in January 2022. This gorgeous Syrah opens over several days and
never seems to diminish. It offers pure aromas of crème de cassis, tar, salami
and ringing tones of violet. The full-bodied palate is incredibly velvety in
texture, and despite its concentration and powerful style, it manages
noticeable freshness and detail, with that magical violet perfume echoing
across the long finish. This will develop gracefully in the cellar over the
next two decades or more. (EB)
(6/2023) Wine Advocate
2019 SINE QUA NON DISTENTA I GRENACHE
CALIFORNIA Magnum
Price: $995.00 Your
Price: $875.60 Quantity
in Stock: 1
2019 Sine Qua Non Distenta I Grenache
California
Price: $425.00 Your
Price: $374.00 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(98 Points) The 2019 Grenache Distenta I is composed of 76% Grenache, 8%
Mourvèdre, 9.3% Syrah, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 2.4% Viognier. The vineyard
sources are 11% Cumulus Estate, 39% The Third Twin Estate, 32% Eleven
Confessions Estate, 3% Molly Aida and 15% Bien Nacido vineyard. Around 43%
whole cluster was performed, predominately on the Grenache. The small
proportion of Viognier was co-fermented with red grapes, but interestingly,
because it ripens earlier than the reds, the white berries were frozen and added
to the reds at the time of fermentation. As an added bonus, these frozen grapes
help to cool and, therefore, slow the fermentation. The wine was aged for
around 23 months in 26.5% new French oak, 66.7% used oak and 6.8% concrete. It
was bottled June 21, 2021. Medium to deep garnet-purple it bursts with profound
perfume of black raspberries, boysenberries and cherry preserves, leading to an
undercurrent of charcuterie, charcoal, bouquet garni and aniseed. Notions of
red roses and garrigue reward patient swirling and coaxing. The full-on
full-bodied palate is wonderfully opulent, its intensity offset by fantastic
freshness, finishing long with a savory dried herb-laced lift. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2019 Sine Qua Non Cumulus Vineyard
'Next of Kyn' Central Coast USA
Price: $550.00 Your
Price: $484.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(99 Points) Still in barrel, the 2019 Cumulus Vineyard No. 13 also
contains less Syrah than in the past—this iteration is composed of 29%
Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 24.5% Syrah, 8% Touriga Nacional, 7.5% Petite Sirah
and 2% Petit Manseng. It was made using 22% whole clusters and matured for
about 32 months in 62% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple in the glass, it has a
core of blackberry jam and Morello cherries, unfolding slowly to nuances of
violet and loamy earth. Full-bodied and concentrated, its super-fine tannins
and juicy acidity balance the expression, and it has a tremendously long finish
with loads of floral perfume. It's showing fantastically despite its recent
bottling on May 11, 2022—I tasted it on May 24, 2022. 369 cases and 222 magnums
will be released in the fall of 2022. It will be sold as part of a four-bottle
set that will include one bottle of Next of Kyn Touriga Nacional.-EB Wine
Advocate:
2018 Sine Qua Non Grenache Profuga
California Magnum 1.5 L
Price: $975.00 Your
Price: $858.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
2018 Sine Qua Non Grenache Profuga
California
Price: $420.00 Sale
Price: $350.00 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(99-97 Points) The 2018 Grenache
Profuga is composed of 77.5% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 8.3% Syrah, 3.3% Petite
Sirah and 0.9% Viognier. The vineyard sources are 38% Cumulus Estate, 35% The
Third Twin Estate, 23% Eleven Confessions Estate and 4% Bien Nacido Vineyard.
Forty-one percent whole cluster was performed, predominately on the Grenache.
The small proportion of Viognier was co-fermented with red grapes, but
interestingly, because it ripens earlier than the reds, the white berries were
frozen and added to the reds at the time of fermentation. As an added bonus,
these frozen grapes help to cool and, therefore, slow the fermentation. The
wine was aged for around 23 months in 37% new French oak, 57.8% used oak and
5.2% concrete. Deep garnet-purple in color, the wine does bedazzling pirouettes
out of the glass with the most gorgeous rose oil, kirsch, licorice and fragrant
earth scents, leading into a powerful core of black raspberries, redcurrant
jelly and powdered cinnamon plus a waft of underbrush. Medium to full-bodied,
the palate is incredibly fresh, elegant and polished, yet make no mistake—there
is a lot of power and energy on the mid-palate. This is all beautifully framed
by tightly knit, very finely grained tannins, and the finish holds this provocative,
lingering siren’s note, delivering exotic spices and rose-laced accents.
Beguiling. 1,350 cases and 600 magnums were made. This wine was tasted as a
tank sample to be bottled in two days, so this is pretty much “it.” With regard
to name, according to Elaine and Manfred Krankl, Profuga is "the Latin
female version of refugee, fugitive, deserter, exiled, eluding one's
grasp." Issue 250 End of August 2020, The Wine Advocate
2018 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Grenache Sta Rita Hills USA
Price: $525.00 Your
Price: $462.00 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(99 points) The 2018 Grenache
Eleven Confessions Vineyard is a barrel selection and is composed of 83.7%
Grenache, 9.1% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah and 1.2% Viognier. It was fermented with
45% whole clusters and matured for about 38 months in 52% new French oak
barrels and demi-muids. It has a deep ruby-purple color and slowly opening
scents of Morello cherries, coffee beans, licorice, thyme, tea leaves and
forest floor. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet energetic, offering bursts
of juicy acidity and grainy tannins to counter its concentrated fruits. After
spending some time in the glass, the long finish blossoms to a kaleidoscope of
spicy, floral accents, suggesting this may require more bottle time than some
of the other wines in this lineup before reaching its peak. (EB) (5/2022)
Wine Advocate
2018 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Syrah Sta Rita Hills USA
Price: $550.00 Your
Price: $484.00 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(97-99 points) The 2018 Grenache Profuga is composed of 77.5% Grenache,
10% Mourvèdre, 8.3% Syrah, 3.3% Petite Sirah and 0.9% Viognier. The vineyard
sources are 38% Cumulus Estate, 35% The Third Twin Estate, 23% Eleven
Confessions Estate and 4% Bien Nacido Vineyard. Forty-one percent whole cluster
was performed, predominately on the Grenache. The small proportion of Viognier
was co-fermented with red grapes, but interestingly, because it ripens earlier
than the reds, the white berries were frozen and added to the reds at the time
of fermentation. As an added bonus, these frozen grapes help to cool and,
therefore, slow the fermentation. The wine was aged for around 23 months in 37%
new French oak, 57.8% used oak and 5.2% concrete. Deep garnet-purple in color,
the wine does bedazzling pirouettes out of the glass with the most gorgeous
rose oil, kirsch, licorice and fragrant earth scents, leading into a powerful
core of black raspberries, redcurrant jelly and powdered cinnamon plus a waft
of underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is incredibly fresh, elegant
and polished, yet make no mistake—there is a lot of power and energy on the
mid-palate. This is all beautifully framed by tightly knit, very finely grained
tannins, and the finish holds this provocative, lingering siren’s note,
delivering exotic spices and rose-laced accents. Beguiling. 1,350 cases and 600
magnums were made. This wine was tasted as a tank sample to be bottled in two
days, so this is pretty much “it.” With regard to name, according to Elaine and
Manfred Krankl, Profuga is "the Latin female version of refugee, fugitive,
deserter, exiled, eluding one's grasp."
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # 250 - Aug 2020)
2018 Sine Qua Non Syrah Ziehharmonika
California California
Price: $420.00 Sale
Price: $350.00 Quantity
in Stock: 3
(98-100 Points) Manfred Krankl did
point out that the name of this wine is not definitely but probably going to be
“Squeezebox.” There are still a bunch of hoops to jump through before the label
is signed, sealed and delivered. He shared the artwork for the label with me,
again probably final but not yet definite, but which I think fans of are going
to love. Who knew Mr. K played the squeezebox? The vineyard sources for this
wine are 51% The Third Twin, 43% Eleven Confessions and 6% Cumulus—all
estate-owned vineyards. The 2018 Syrah Squeezebox is composed of 82% Syrah,
6.7% Mourvèdre, 5% Petite Sirah, 2.3% Grenache, 2.7% Viognier and 1.3% Muscat.
“I think Muscat is the number one white grape for me to blend with reds,”
Manfred said. “It kinda triples the effect of the wine.” The wine is due to be
bottled in August 2020, very soon after I tasted it, and after 23 months of
aging. It was reared in 51% new French oak, 46% in used barrels and 3% in
terracotta. (The terracotta is only used for whites.) Very deep garnet-purple
colored, the nose kicks off with bright, vivacious scents of freshly cracked
black pepper, licorice, baker’s chocolate and menthol before opening out to a
core just singing of Black Forest cake, wild blueberries and ripe blackberries
with wafts of smoky bacon and garrigue. Full-bodied, firm and beautifully
textured with perfectly ripe, velvety tannins, it has invigorating freshness
and a very long, multi-layered finish. Its rock-solid structure and intensity
suggest this wine will be very long lived indeed. Final name Ziehharmonika instead of
Squeezebox Issue 250 End of August 2020,
The Wine Advocate
2018 Sine Qua Non Syrah Ziehharmonika
California California Magnum 1.5L
Price: $975.00` Your
Price: $858.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
2018 Sine Qua Non Next of Kyn Red
Wine California
Price: $525.00 Your
Price: $462.00 Quantity in Stock: 4
(100 Points) Manfred Krankl notes that the 2018 Cumulus Vineyard No. 12
represents a shift away from earlier cuvées that were dominated by the Syrah
grape. This iteration is composed of 47.7% Syrah, 23.4% Grenache, 21.3% Petite
Sirah, 5.6% Mourvèdre and 2 % Petit Manseng. The 2018 also comes entirely from
the Next of Kyn estate vineyard Cumulus. It was made using 41% whole clusters
and matured around 32 months in 34% new French oak (the remaining barrels were
one to three years old). Deep ruby-purple in color, it blossoms slowly to
aromas of cassis, lilac, coffee beans, dried mint and bouquet garni. The
full-bodied palate is powerful yet elegant, its concentrated fruits balanced by
grainy tannins and fresh acidity that highlights its floral perfume on the long
finish. (EB) Wine Advocate, Review Date:
06/2022
2017 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Grenache Sta Rita Hills
Price: $407.00 Sale
Price: $325.00 Quantity
in Stock: 4
(98 Points) The 2017 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard is composed of
88.7% Grenache, 10.6% Syrah and 0.7% Viognier. The winemaking includes 47%
whole cluster, and it was aged for 38 months in 62% new French oak (83% were
large demi-muids) and 38% in used vessels of various ages and sizes (two to
five years old). Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the nose starts off a
little closed, offering glimpses at stewed plums, blackberry preserves, and
chocolate-covered cherries, giving way to fragrant notions of licorice, violets
and cinnamon stick. While there’s no question that this is a big, concentrated,
full-bodied wine, it is also incredibly elegant, well-poised and nuanced,
featuring many floral and baking spice layers within the decadent black fruits
and sporting firm, very finely grained tannins, finishing with incredible
length and depth. I would recommend a good 3-5 years of cellaring, then drink
it over the next 20 years+. (LPB) 98+
Review Date: 08/2021 Wine
Advocate
2017 Sine Qua Non Grenache The
Gorgeous Victim California
Price: $370.00 Sale
Price: $295.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(98-100 points) The 2017 Grenache
“No Name As Of Yet” is a finished blend, set to be bottled in August. Composed
of 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah, 3.8% Petit Sirah and 1.2% Viognier,
and the vineyard sources are: 46% Cumulus Estate, 29% Eleven Confessions
Estate, 6% Molly Aida Estate, 17% The Third Twin Estate and 2% Bien Nacido
Vineyard. It was aged for around 23 months in 23% new French oak, 48% used oak
(various sizes) and 29% concrete, and 46% (mainly Grenache) was fermented using
whole clusters. Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate (Issue # 243 - Jun
2019) (Wine Advocate)
2017 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions
Vineyard Syrah Sta Rita Hills
Price: $450.00 Sale
Price: $355.00 Quantity
in Stock: 4
(97 Points) Deep garnet-purple in
color, the 2017 Syrah Eleven Confessions bursts with notions of baked plums,
stewed blackberries and black cherry preserves, with an undercurrent of Sichuan
pepper, violets, chocolate mint and charcuterie, plus a lifted suggestion of
black raspberries. Rich, full-bodied and decadently opulent, the palate
explodes with pepper-spiked black and red berry preserves, framed by
fine-grained tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing epically long and
spicy. Very impressive. (LPB) 97+
Review Date: 08/2021 Wine Advocate
2017 Sine Qua Non The Hated Hunter
Syrah California
Price: $350.00 Sale
Price: $279.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
(97-100 points) This wine will be
bottled in August this year. Made exclusively from estate-grown fruit, the 2017
Syrah “No Name As Of Yet” is composed of 82.4% Syrah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 7.8%
Petite Sirah, 2% Grenache, 1.2% Petit Manseng and 1.4% Viognier that was
fermented with 26% whole cluster. The vineyard sources are 32% Eleven
Confessions, 41% The Third Twin, 25% Cumulus and 2% Molly Aida. It is to be
aged for around 23 months in French oak, 59% new. Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine
Advocate (Issue # 243 - Jun 2019) (Wine Advocate)
2017 Sine Qua Non Next of Kyn Red
Wine California
Price: $959.00 Your
Price: $843.92 Quantity
in Stock: 1
(98+ Points) Next of Kyn Touriga
Nacional 2017: This cuvée comes entirely from the Krankl’s “home” vineyard—the
Cumulus vineyard—from a small, one-acre 2008 planting. The 2017 Touriga
Nacional Numero Tres is a blend of 80% Touriga Nacional, 8% Petite Sirah, 6%
Syrah and 6% Grenache using 44% whole clusters. It spent around 33 months in
French oak barrels, 60% new. Very deep garnet-purple, the nose is a little
reticent to begin, offering broody tar, new leather and fertile loam
suggestions before giving way to come-hither scents of baked black plums,
blackberry pie, dark chocolate, candied violets, pencil lead, menthol and dried
roses. The first thing that hits you on the decadent, full-bodied palate is the
texture—like stroking a kitten in your mouth. Wonderful freshness electrifies
the bright, crunchy black fruits, developing into a long-lingering perfumed
finish. Stunning! While it is delicious and certainly approachable right now, I
would recommend laying this down for 4-5 years at least, to allow all the
tightly wound nuances to emerge. It should continue to give pleasure for the
next 20-25+ years. 89 cases and 223 magnums were made. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2016 Sine Qua Non 'Pajarito del Amor'
Grenache California
Price: $540.00 Sale
Price: $429.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
(100 Points) Composed of 85.4% Grenache, 7.1% Petite Sirah, 6.9% Syrah
and 0.6% Viognier, employing 56% whole cluster, the nose of this opaque,
garnet-purple colored uber-Grenache completely explodes with a candied violets,
mandarin peel and Indian spices perfume, giving way to a core of bursting-ripe
red berries—redcurrants, Morello cherries and raspberries—with an undercurrent
of earth, earth and more sweet, fragrant earth. The numbers are telling me this
is a full-bodied wine (16.9% alcohol), but the palate is deceptively ethereal,
possessing more of a medium to full-bodied feel, thanks in part to bags of
well-integrated freshness and fantastic harmony, with soft, silt-like tannins,
finishing with loads of savory layers and a fragrant, floral breeze. Yowza,
that's good. (LPB) Review Date:
08/2020 (Wine Advocate)
2015 Sine Qua Non Syrah Trouver
l’arène
Price: $475.00 Your
Price: $418.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
The 2015 Syrah Trouver l’arène states “finding the arena.” If you re-read
the burgundy portion of T.R.’s manifesto you’ll quickly see the connection.
This supermodel of a wine, if nothing else, is an orgy of the palate. The
partners in that orgy are 80.5% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Mourvedre, 2%
Grenache and an aroma lifting, sexy, co-fermented 3.5% Viognier. All of the
fruit was tenderly grown at three of our Estate vineyards.?36% at Eleven
Confessions, 37% at The Third Twin... some +/- 15 miles northeast of there and
27% at the home vineyard Cumulus. Here only 34% whole clusters (of course
meaning the stems also) were employed in the fermentation. For 22 months we
taught this black beauty manners in barrels, 48% of which were new and all
French. Like it’s Grenache sibling, this temptress was never fined or filtered,
but rather left to it’s gorgeous own devices. My tasting notes from right
before the bottling read – impossibly SQN dark with an almost lacquer sheen to
it. There is a slightly peppery, savory, saddle leather nose that is quite
pronounced.
2014 Sine Qua Non Grenache Shakti
Price: $450.00 Your
Price: $396.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(100 points) The 2014 Grenache Shakti is blended of 88% Grenache, 6%
Mourvèdre, 4% Petite Sirah and 2% Touriga Nacional, coming 51% from the Cumulus
(Estate) Vineyard, 18% from The Third Twin (Estate) Vineyard, 9.5% from Bien
Nacido Vineyard and 21.5% for the Eleven Confessions (Estate) Vineyard. It was
produced using 42% whole cluster and aged for around 21 months in French oak,
6% new (bottled June 21, 2017). It offers up a deep garnet-purple color and
notes of dried Mediterranean herbs, dusty earth, Chinese five spice and rose
petals over a core of red currants, mulberries, red plums and black
raspberries, plus a waft of chocolate covered cherries. Full-bodied, decadently
concentrated and yet very, very pretty in the mouth, it delivers incredibly
fine-grained, ripe tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing on a
persistent--totally disarming--perfumed red fruit note. (LPB) (9/2017) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2014 Sine Qua Non Syrah Piranha
Waterdance
Price: $450.00 Your
Price: $396.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(100 points) Blended of 81% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourvèdre, 4%
Touriga Nacional and 1% Graciano, sourced from 34% The Third Twin, 35% Eleven
Confessions and 31% Cumulus (all estate vineyards), the provocative, inky
purple colored 2014 Syrah Piranha Waterdance was made using 26% whole cluster
and hits the scent scene with exuberant, pure crème de cassis, blackberry
cordial and blueberry coulis notes with hints of espresso, licorice, garrigue
and menthol, plus a gorgeous underlying perfume of red roses. The full-bodied
palate is oh-so-elegant and pretty, revealing very finely pixelated tannins
that beautifully frame the almost electric intensity, culminating in an
epically long, licorice and chocolate-laced finish. Too stunning for mere words
and rude to even try--just drink it. (LPB) (9/2017) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2013 Sine Qua Non Grenache Female
California
Price: $375.00 Your
Price: $330.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(98 points) Manfred's 2013
Grenache Female checks in as a blend of 78% Grenache, 19% Syrah and 3%
Mourvèdre that is mostly from his Eleven Confessions estate vineyard in Sta.
Rita Hills, yet has smaller portions from his Cumulus, The Third Twin and Bien
Nacido vineyards. Seeing just over 24 months in a mix of demi-muids, 300-liter
Hog Heads and barrique, it has a sensational bouquet of spring flowers, black
raspberries, black cherries, violets, licorice and camphor. Reminding me of a
great vintage of Raymond Usseglio's Cuvée Imperiale, this full-bodied, elegant
Grenache is impeccably balanced, has a full and layered mid-palate (which is
missing from just about every other Grenache made in California), and sweet
tannin on the finish. It's almost impervious to air and didn't budge an inch
over the three days I followed this bottle. It will cruise for over two
decades. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
5/2016
2013 Sine Qua Non Male Syrah
California
Price: $375.00 Your
Price: $330.00 Quantity
in Stock: 2
(98 points) The 2013 Syrah Male is an elegant, seamless Syrah that exudes
class in its creme de cassis, black raspberry, smoked meats, graphite and
asphalt-laced bouquet. This is a blend of 80% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 6%
Mourvèdre, 3.5% Touriga National and 3.5% Viognier, fermented with 28% whole
clusters and aged 25 months in 65% new French oak. It's full-bodied,
beautifully layered, silky and seamless, with no hard edges and wonderful
freshness in both the aromatics and palate. Give bottles 3-4 years and enjoy
over the following 10-15. (JD) (5/2016) Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2010 Sine Qua Non Stockholm Syndrome
Syrah California
Price: $975.00 Sale
Price: $779.00 Quantity
in Stock: 1
(100 Points) The 2010 Syrah
Stockholm Syndrome is an incredible blend of 96% Syrah, 3% Roussanne and 1%
Viognier, it was fermented with 16% whole cluster before spending just under 42
months in 100% new French oak. It offers a brilliant, soaring bouquet of kirsch
liqueur and crème de cassis characteristics intermixed with notes of Peking
duck, exotic spices, pepper, and dried flowers. Deep, full-bodied, and
powerful, yet also graceful, perfectly balanced, and light on its feet, it’s
still youthful and vibrant, with present tannin, and has another two-plus
decades of longevity ahead of it. I’ve been lucky enough to have numerous
bottles of this elixir since release and it’s never failed to reaffirm my
belief that it’s one of the all-time Great Syrahs of the world. Review Date: 02/2018 (Jeb Dunnuck)