2004 Sine Qua Non Poker Face Syrah - 100 pts - 750ml

The recently released 2004 Poker Face (96% Syrah 2.5% Mourvedre and 1.5% Viognier) comes from the Eleven Confessions White Hawk Alban Bien Nacido and Alta Mesa vineyards. Boasting classic blackberry creme de cassis charcoal acacia flower and subtle background toasty oak notes it possesses a fabulous texture beautiful richness and purity and a finish that lasts nearly a minute. It is a wine of enormous richness multiple dimensions and unreal purity. Although approachable it benefits from several hours of decanting and should evolve for 15 or more years. To reiterate it is a challenge to analyze these wines. I know they are distinctive and I think I am beginning to understand why they are so much greater than just about every other Syrah or Grenache-based wine in California. In short it is talent and incredibly meticulous hard work. No one works as hard or is as maniacal about a vineyard's viticulture and winemaking as Manfred Krankl. Take that add in exceptional talent humility top-notch vineyards and I believe I understand the fundamentals of why these wines are so special. RP

Varietal	Syrah
Vintage	2004
Rating	100 RP
Bottle Size	750 ml
Bottle Quantity	1
Country	USA
Region	California
Location
Producer	Sine Qua Non
Color	Red
Wine Type	Table

Rating

100 RP - 2004 Sine Qua Non Poker Face Syrah -100 Pts! The recently released 2004 Poker Face (96% Syrah 2.5% Mourvedre and 1.5% Viognier) comes from the Eleven Confessions White Hawk Alban Bien Nacido and Alta Mesa vineyards. Boasting classic blackberry creme de cassis charcoal acacia flower and subtle background toasty oak notes it possesses a fabulous texture beautiful richness and purity and a finish that lasts nearly a minute. It is a wine of enormous richness multiple dimensions and unreal purity. Although approachable it benefits from several hours of decanting and should evolve for 15 or more years. To reiterate it is a challenge to analyze these wines. I know they are distinctive and I think I am beginning to understand why they are so much greater than just about every other Syrah or Grenache-based wine in California. In short it is talent and incredibly meticulous hard work. No one works as hard or is as maniacal about a vineyard's viticulture and winemaking as Manfred Krankl. Take that add in exceptional talent humility top-notch vineyards and I believe I understand the fundamentals of why these wines are so special. RP

Wine Spectator

Burghound

Varietal	Syrah
Vintage	2004
Rating	100 RP
Bottle Size	750 ml
Bottle Quantity	1
Country	USA
Region	California
Location
Producer	Sine Qua Non
Color	Red
Wine Type	Table