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Sine Qua Non is one of California's most famous wine producers. Based just north of Los Angeles in Ventura County, and with most of its vineyards in Santa Barbara, it eschews the usual image of top California wine as being only from Napa Valley. That is not the only thing eschewed at Sine Qua Non – the same wine is rarely made more than once, turning the idea of the American icon wine on its head.
The cult winery specializes in Rhône grape varieties, with most of the red wines based on Syrah and Grenache. White wines are typically based on Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier and are also modelled after Rhône wines. While most of Sine Qua Non's vineyards are located in Santa Barbara, the home vineyard (and the winery) is located in Oak View. Many of the wines are labeled under the more generic California and Central Coast AVAs, rather than the specific AVAs the vineyards are located in, giving more freedom when it comes to blending.
Sine Qua Non's first vintage was 1994, as Austrian-born winemaker Manfred Krankl released three barrels of Syrah as "Queen of Spades" with a label he had designed himself. Previously, Krankl had made wines with other winemakers – including the "Black and Blue" wine with Havens Cellars and several wines with John Alban of Alban Vineyards. After releasing Queen of Spades, Krankl sent a bottle to Robert Parker, who promptly gave the wine 95 points – then the highest he'd given any American wine based on a Rhône variety
| Varietal | Proprietary Blend |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2003 |
| Rating | 93 RP |
| Bottle Size | 750 ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 1 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | |
| Producer | Sine Qua Non |
| Color | White |
| Wine Type | Table |
| Rating | 93 RP - 2003 Sine Qua Non Sublime White Blend - 93 pts! The 2003 Sublime Isolation is a blend of 44% Chardonnay 37% Roussanne and 19% Viognier all from the Alban vineyard. Aromatically restrained by SQN standards with coaxing it offers up notes of honeyed pineapples minerals and flowers but it is much more timid than its younger sibling. Rich pure and deliciously textured in the mouth it reveals more on the palate than in its aromas which should develop more nuances with additional bottle age. Sadly production of this brilliant dry white proprietary wine is a minuscule 250 cases. The world's most profound wines are always made by the same kind of people ... artists craftspeople revolutionaries and traditionalists who have one overwhelming trait in common ... they are irrefutably dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and their hearts souls and enormous talents are reflected in wines of singular personality and achievement. There are never any compromises so it is no surprise that what takes place in these cellars is the transformation of a commonplace beverage into a form of drinkable art! Manfred Krankl and his charming wife Elaine referred to by Krankl as "E" are on a roll given what has emerged from their funky warehouse/garage winery located in what looks like a discarded Hollywood set from the movie Mad Max. Finding a bottle or two of Sine Qua Non is no easy task since virtually all these wines are sold to longtime mailing list clients as well as the country's finest upscale restaurants. However some relief is in sight as Krankl is beginning to get fruit from his own Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. Moreover he planted another vineyard in Ventura County on a bald outcropping that should produce some fascinating Rhone varietals. The upcoming releases all reveal Krankl's magic touch and like some of the finest wineries working with Rhone varietals Manfred Krankl is a creative blender recognizing that blends generally result in more nuances and flavor complexity than a single varietal cuvee. RP |
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| Varietal | Proprietary Blend |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2003 |
| Rating | 93 RP |
| Bottle Size | 750 ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 1 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | |
| Producer | Sine Qua Non |
| Color | White |
| Wine Type | Table |
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