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Roussanne · Central Coast
93 points from Robert Parker.
“The 100% Roussanne that emerged from both the Stolpman and Alban Vineyards, is the 2000 Hussy*. The name says it all, but note the asterisks. Our beloved BATF, which protects Americans from illicit thoughts and evil subliminal messages on wine labels, has refused approval of these names. Its light gold color is accompanied by fabulously decadent levels of fruit, luxurious glycerin, and a dry, full-bodied, amazingly well-delineated finish. This is a sumptuous, dry white that is among the most creative produced in California.”
“Slightly hazy pale yellow-gold. Musky, deep aromas of mango, peach and nuts. Rich, broad and nutty, with lovely sweetness and depth, but still a bit wound-up and not at all flamboyant or fruit-driven today. Long, strong, rather powerful wine with good density. This very promising white wine is a bit buttoned-up to be labeled a hussy, but give her time.”
Every detail we hold on this bottle, in one place, so you know exactly what is going into your cellar.
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
One bottle, 1500 ml, of the 2000 vintage.
Local pickup is by appointment only. If you choose pickup at checkout, please email sales@cultwine.com to schedule your pickup.
Winemaker Manfred Krankl, at Sine Qua Non.
Yes. You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase.
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