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2003 Sine Qua Non Papa/Lil E Magnum Set OWC - 2 x 1500ml PAPA SYRAH - 98 pts! There are 860 cases of the 2003 Papa, a blend of 97% Syrah, 2% Mourvedre, and 1% Grenache sourced from six different vineyards. An old black and white photograph of Manfred Krankl's father holding a baby with a head the size of a large watermelon (presumably Manfred) serves as the label for this wine, which has just about everything one could want in a great Syrah. It exhibits extraordinary power and richness along with large quantities of sexy, seductive cassis, black cherries, and a chocolaty undertone. Unctuously textured, rich, and full, it will provide amazing drinking over the next 10-15 years. LIL E GRENACHE - 96 pts! Other than Alban Vineyards, no California winery makes better Grenache than SQN. Manfred Krankl has produced some magnificent examples, including the 2003 Lil E (named after his adorable wife, Elaine) is a blend of 78% Grenache, 12% Mourvedre, and 10% Syrah. Half of the grapes are from the Eleven Confessions home vineyard and the rest are from the Alban, Alta Mesa, and Bien Nacido sites. This cuvee is aged primarily in 300 liter hogsheads, and, because of extremely tiny yields, only a minuscule 150 cases were produced. It boasts a deep ruby/purple hue, a wild mountain berry fruit, blueberry, flower, and kirsch-scented nose, superb intensity, full body, good underlying acidity, and sneaky tannins lurking under the surface. The latter component does not preclude drinking this wine now, but this brilliant Grenache will last for 6-10 years. |