Sine Qua Non In The Crosshairs Grenache 2006
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Sine Qua Non In The Crosshairs Grenache 2006
HED2632
75 cl
15.8%
Regular price
£1,430.00
Sale price
£910.00
36% off
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Sine Qua Non is the creation of pioneering winemaker, Manfred Krankl, and is a world-famous cult winery revered for producing miniscule quantities of unique Rhône-inspired wines from some of the greatest vineyards across the Central Coast. Initially released alongside A Shot in the Dark Syrah as a two-bottle set, In The Crosshairs is an extended barrel-aged release of Grenache which has spent 32 months in French oak. Classically full-bodied and decadent, this is a remarkably complex but unwaveringly elegant wine with delicious notes of black cherry, raspberry, liquorice, exotic spices and grilled wild herbs.
100 Robert Parker
2006 In the Cross Hairs 11 Confessions Vineyard: This is Sine Qua Non’s extended barrel-aged Grenache (meaning that in most vintages since 2003, Krankl has produced two cuvees of Grenache, one aged 18-22 months before bottling, and the other one with extended barrel-aging, in this case 32 months in wood). A blend of 84% Grenache, 12% Syrah and 4% Viognier, all from the 11 Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, this is one of the most extraordinarily elegant Grenaches Krankl has produced. It is an intellectual wine, yet it doesn’t wimp out by any means. It is full-bodied and voluptuously textured, with notes of spice box, licorice and Provencal herbs, copious quantities of black currant and kirsch liqueur, stunning richness and a finish lasting close to a minute. This amazing effort confirms Krankl’s meticulous and nearly obsessively detailed work in both the vineyard and the winery. Anticipated maturity: now-2022.
The conclusions I came to about this tasting may seem obvious just by reading the tasting notes. People forget that as famous as Sine Qua Non and both Elaine and Manfred Krankl have become over the last 15 years, their wines really only began to hit full world-class qualitative levels at the turn of the last century (2000). The vineyard sources have largely changed from Alban, Stolpman, Bien Nacido, Shadow Canyon and White Hawk Vineyards to primarily estate vineyards Cumulus Vineyard in Ventura County and 11 Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. In the future, Krankl’s newest vineyard in Alisos Canyon will be an additional component part. His meticulous craftsmanship and phenomenal attention to detail, both in the vineyard and in the winery, have been increasingly noticeable over the last decade. He seemed to hit full stride about eight or nine years ago, and what has unfolded since then is an absolutely brilliant succession of true works of genius, both in his expressive, sometimes slightly abstract artwork on the labels, to the metic
The conclusions I came to about this tasting may seem obvious just by reading the tasting notes. People forget that as famous as Sine Qua Non and both Elaine and Manfred Krankl have become over the last 15 years, their wines really only began to hit full world-class qualitative levels at the turn of the last century (2000). The vineyard sources have largely changed from Alban, Stolpman, Bien Nacido, Shadow Canyon and White Hawk Vineyards to primarily estate vineyards Cumulus Vineyard in Ventura County and 11 Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. In the future, Krankl’s newest vineyard in Alisos Canyon will be an additional component part. His meticulous craftsmanship and phenomenal attention to detail, both in the vineyard and in the winery, have been increasingly noticeable over the last decade. He seemed to hit full stride about eight or nine years ago, and what has unfolded since then is an absolutely brilliant succession of true works of genius, both in his expressive, sometimes slightly abstract artwork on the labels, to the metic
97 The Wine Independent
The 2006 In The Crosshairs is a blend of 84% Grenache, 12% Syrah, and 4% Viognier, coming entirely from the Krankls’ Eleven Confessions Vineyard. 5% whole cluster was employed in the winemaking, and the wine was aged for 32 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. Revealing a deep garnet color, notes of cigar box, blackberry pie, dried mulberries, and dusty soil jump from the glass, followed by hints of star anise, dried sage, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is amazingly silky with beautifully balanced acidity and soft-spoken flavors, finishing long and whispery. 202 cases, 125 magnums, and 12 double magnums were made. — Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 4th September 2024
96 Vinous
(includes 12% syrah and 4% viognier) Opaque ruby. A wild bouquet exudes scents of candied red and dark berries, incense, smoked meat and black olive. I'd have guessed that there was a lot more syrah in here. Lush and palate-coating black raspberry and boysenberry flavors are lifted by zesty acidity and complemented by exotic floral pastille and spice flavors. Strikes an impressive balance of richness and vivacity and finishes with outstanding clarity and smoky, spicy persistence. With air some fine-grained tannins peeked out, but this is really a wall of seductive fruit, floral and spice qualities. — Josh Raynolds, 1st November 2010
16 Jancis Robinson
84% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 4% Viognier. From ?Eleven Confessions. 32 months in new French oak. Part of the EBA (extended barrel ageing) Program. Mid crimson. Lovely sweet red and dark plums plus a note of burnt rubber and smoky bacon. Little bit of pepper. Then thick and dense on the palate. Less finesse than the other Grenache wines. Not enough freshness. Way alcoholic. More ordinary and less scented than the other wines so far. (JH) — Julia Harding, 11th October 2012
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The wines of Sine Qua Non need little introduction. Mould breaking, iconoclastic, visionary are just some of the descriptors invoked when critics and wine lovers discuss this unique winery. Based in Ventura, north of LA, the wines of Sine Qua Non regularly notch up perfect scores from critics while the waiting list for a direct allocation is well over ten years.
Founded by Manfred and Elaine Krankl in the early 1990s, the duo swiftly gained attention from wine lovers and critics for their superb Rhône blend wines, quirky labels and uncompromising approach in the vineyard and cellar. The winery has experimented with producing Oregon Pinot Noir, dessert wines and an array of quirky single varietal reds and whites, but generally revert to producing the wines for which they are most famous - Grenache and Syrah. The wines are generally big and bold, but those who like things cranked up to eleven should look no further than Manfred's "extended barrel ageing" program.
