Sine Qua Non Raven Series Grenache 2006
Sine Qua Non Raven Series Grenache 2006
HED2743
75 cl
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98 Robert Parker
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 meticulously crafted wood boxes in which the wines are housed. Of course, the most important thing of all, the actual wine itself, is both the beginning as well as the end for consumers, and where 100% of my focus and judgement are centered. Grenache, as Krankl would be the first to say, is by far the most challen
95 Vinous
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Sine Qua Non
Art and Fine Wine Collide
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.
