Sine Qua Non The Duel Grenache 2008

Sine Qua Non The Duel Grenache 2008

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£485.00
Regular price  £575.00
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  • The Wine Independent rating 100
  • Robert Parker rating 97
  • Vinous rating 95
Sine Qua Non The Duel Grenache 2008
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HED9018

75 cl

15.5%
Regular price  £575.00
Sale price 
£485.00 16% off
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Officially founded in 1994 by Manfred and Elaine Krankl, Sine Qua Non rapidly garnered remarkable critical acclaim for their exceptionally limited production wines made from classical Rhône Valley varieties. The Duel Syrah and Grenache from the 2008 vintage are part of the Extended Barrel-Aged program and are made entirely of fruit sourced from the estate Eleven Confessions Vineyard. This is 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 2% Viognier and 1% Roussanne.
100 The Wine Independent
A blend of 82% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 3% Viognier, and 1% Roussanne, the 2008 The Duel Grenache is entirely sourced from the Krankls’ Eleven Confessions Vineyard. 32% whole cluster was used during the winemaking and the wine was aged for 40.5 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. Deep garnet color, notes of stewed red and black plums, Morello cherries, iris, and cinnamon toast come spilling from the glass, followed by hints of garrigue, orange peel, and Chinese five spice. The full-bodied palate delivers a firm structure of grainy tannins and bold freshness to support the layers of bright red berry and exotic spices flavors, finishing long with an orange-laced lift. 398 cases, 138 magnums, and 30 double magnums were made. — Lisa Perrotti-Brown, 4th September 2024
97 Robert Parker
Sine Qua Non’s 2008 Grenache Estate The Duel boasts extraordinary richness, power and sheer depth. Tobacco, leather, mint and spices are woven together in this large-scaled Grenache. There is plenty of intensity here, but the 2008 has just a touch less aromatic definition than the very finest wines at Sine Qua Non. I imagine some of that may be the result of extended aging in oak. The 2008 is 82% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 2% Viognier and 1% Roussanne, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in Santa Rita Hills. A portion of the Grenache was fermented using whole clusters. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.

Manfred Krankl calls 2011 the most consistently cold year he has ever seen from start to finish, although he adds that every year since 2008 has been cooler than normal. Unlike 2010, there were no heat spikes or even hot days in 2011. A bit of frost in April reduced tiny yields even more, but in retrospect that was a saving grace, as a full crop might never have ripened under the conditions of the year. Vintage 2010 was marked by a late frost that mostly affected Grenache by reducing yields. The rest of the vintage saw quite a bit of rain along with heat spikes during the summer, which produced big, bold wines. Krankl describes 2009 as a vintage that was shaping up to be great, until the rains arrived at the end of the growing season. With one exception, the 2009s are just as sexy and silky as they were last year. Unfortunately, the 2009 Syrah Estate No Name as of Yet was in no mood to be evaluated, so I will have to wait for another opportunity to taste it. In addition to these wines, I also tasted about a dozen library wines that reconfirmed my opinion, stated last year, that the Sine Qua Non wines have gained in elegance and refinement with the gradual move towards estate-owned vineyards. Sine Qua Non fans will find a lot to get excited about with these current and upcoming releases. I also urge readers to check out Manfred and Elaine Krankl’s newest project, Ne
95 Vinous
(82% grenache, 14% syrah, 2% viognier and 2% roussanne all from the Eleven Confessions vineyard; fermented with 32% whole clusters; 15% new oak and 15.8% alcohol): Opaque purple. Blackberry, blueberry, incense and potpourri on the heady, powerfully scented nose. Offers a wild array of dark fruit and floral flavors, with intense spiciness and a lush, velvety texture. This wine completely stains the palate yet comes off as shockingly lithe, with the sweet, spicy finish featuring fully absorbed tannins. — Josh Raynolds, 1st November 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.

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