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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 | Syrah |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2004 |
| Rating | 100 RP |
| Bottle Size | 6 x 750ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 6 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | Central Coast |
| Producer | Sine Qua Non |
| Color | Red |
| Wine Type | Red |
| Rating | 100 RP - 2004 Sine Qua Non Ode TO E - Eleven Confessions Syrah & Grenache - OWC 6 pak - 100 Pts!! The 2004 Syrah Ode to E (a blend of 94% Syrah, 4% Grenache, and 2% Viognier) will ultimately spend 43 months in oak. (The debut vintage of this long-aged Syrah, the 2001 Heart Chorea, demonstrates that this has become one of the world's most prodigious Syrahs.) The 2004 Ode to E exhibits extraordinary purity, and beautiful sweet blackberry and cassis notes along with hints of graphite, camphor, and a subtle, but intense meaty character. Unbelievably concentrated, but neither heavy nor overbearing, this exceptional Syrah possesses a phenomenal personality, an amazing seamlessness, and no hard edges. It should be riveting when released and age easily for 12-15+ years. 2004 Ode to E: This tiny cuvee (248 cases), a blend of 88% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 2% Viognier, was pure perfection on the morning in late June when I tasted it. It reminded me of a hypothetical blend of a 2001 Clos du Caillou Reserve and a 2005 Vieille Julienne Chateauneuf du Pape. The wine has a stunning ruby/purple color and a gorgeous nose of melted licorice, lead pencil shavings, jammy black cherries and black currants, incense, and a hint of smoked Peking Duck. Gorgeously opulent, full-bodied and already very complex, but still quite youthful, this is another strikingly haunting wine that was pure perfection and likely to last for at least another decade or more. RP This OWC also includes 3 Bottles of the Ode To E Grenache in this OWC. Amazing bottles and incredible packaging!! Manfred's finest effort ever!! Too bad the juice in the bottle isn't any good.....only 100 points!! This is a rare as it gets!! Find it........buy it!........Hold this one!! |
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| Varietal | Syrah |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2004 |
| Rating | 100 RP |
| Bottle Size | 6 x 750ml |
| Bottle Quantity | 6 |
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Location | Central Coast |
| Producer | Sine Qua Non |
| Color | Red |
| Wine Type | Red |
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