2011 Sine Qua Non Grenache Dark Blossom, USA, California, Wine Review

From Magnum. This is a blend of 75% Grenache, 12.5% Syrah, 11.5% Mourvedre, and 1% Roussanne. 2011 was a difficult vintage, but a bit less so in southern California where these grapes were grown. Manfred Krankl (the owner and winemaker) did a great job here. Garnet in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, spice, black olives, white pepper and dried flowers (violets?). Medium tannins. This is a big wine on the palate. Black cherries, licorice, with some char. Long finish. This is delicious. It needs another five to eight years to get to peak and should last from ten to fifteen after that. This is great on its own and went quite well with a Mushroom dish. (Price listed is for a Magnum).

Grade:

A+

Score:

Vintage:

2011

Current Price:

$1007.00USD

America’s Best Rhone Style Red Wines: 11th Annual Rhone Rangers Tasting Reviewed

The Rhone Report: About Rhone and Rhone-Style Wines and Winemakers is part of an ongoing series. Last month we discussed the white Rhone style wines offered at the 2008 Rhone Rangers tasting event at Fort Mason in San Francisco on March 18. This month we turn to the reds, of which we tasted 50. Among those we tasted were some old favorites and some wineries or bottlings with which we were not yet familiar. We don’t pretend that we tasted a representative group of wines, because our sample was skewed to wines we have loved in the past and others about which we have heard positive comments.

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2012 Sine Qua Non Grenache Stein, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$225.00USD

Few people make Grenache in California at a level of this. Manfred Krankl, the owner/winemaker here, does it consistently. It skirts the line of being large yet having elegance. This is a blend of 76% Grenache, 16% Syrah, and 8% Mourvedre. Just a delicious wine. Inky purple in color. The nose has great raspberry fruit along with black raspberries, char, black pepper and spice. Full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, the raspberries and black raspberries come thru. Wonderful lush texture. Underlying pepper and char. Long finish. This needs about five more years until peak an

2008 Sine Qua Non Grenache The Duel, Eleven Confessions Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills, Wine Review

Vintage:

2008

Score:

Grade:

A+

Current Price:

$365.00USD

There are not a lot of great producers of Grenache in California, but there are a few who excel and at the top is Manfred Krankl and his Sine Qua Non wines. At age 13, this is just hitting its stride and just outstanding. A blend of 82% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 2% Viognier and 2% Roussanne. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is great with black cherries, black raspberries, roasted meats and spices. Full bodied. 15.8% abv but no heat. On the palate, black cherries with some black raspberries over a bit of char. Deep and powerful. Delicious. Long finish. The kind of wine that

2009 Sine Qua Non Grenache Upside Down, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage:

2009

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$240.00USD

A very unique expression of Grenache. These wines are big but they have such energy and hide the alcohol very well. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. Lots of black cherry fruit with a bit of earthy funk. Also, some dust and spice. On the palate, this has a great texture. Raspberries, black raspberries with light tannins over earth and char. Long finish. This is drinking great is a bit on the younger side of maturity. It should continue to drink well for the next ten to fifteen years. This drinks great on its own and will work well with roasts or stews.

2012 Sine Qua Non Grenache Stein, USA, California, Central Coast, Ventura, Wine review

Vintage:

2012

Score:

Grade:

Deep ruby in color. The nose has nice cherries, black cherries and black raspberries with baking spice and a bit of pepper. Full bodied with a great texture. Nice backbone of acidity. On the palate, black raspberries with some black cherries. This is young and needs a few years to develop but quite tasty right now. Not a monster wine by any means. Will work with medium and big foods.

2011 Sine Qua Non Grenache Dark Blossom, USA, California, Wine Review

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