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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
15.| Varietal | Grenache |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2004 |
| Rating | RP99 |
| Bottle Size | 750 ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 1 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | Central Coast |
| Producer | Sine Qua Non |
| Color | Red |
| Wine Type | Table |
| Rating | RP99 - No one ... let me say that again ... no one in the New World makes better Grenache than Manfred Krankl. Tasting four different cuvees was the equivalent of having a great chef, such as Daniel Boulud, cook all your meals for seven straight days. The just released 2004 Into the Dark (a blend of 84% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah, and 1% Viognier, primarily from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard) is a knock-out effort. Its inky/blue/purple color is followed by a big, sweet nose of black currants, black cherries, chocolate, spice box, and some toasty oak in the background. Voluptuously-textured and full-bodied with abundant glycerin and fruit hiding the wine’s considerable underlying structure, this is a majestic Grenache that should hit its peak in 2-3 years, and last for 12-15. 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 |
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| Varietal | Grenache |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2004 |
| Rating | RP99 |
| Bottle Size | 750 ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 1 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | Central Coast |
| Producer | Sine Qua Non |
| Color | Red |
| Wine Type | Table |
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