Sine Qua Non To the Rescue Roussanne Vin de Paille Half 2006

Sine Qua Non To the Rescue Roussanne Vin de Paille Half 2006

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  • Robert Parker rating 98
  • Vinous rating 93
Sine Qua Non To the Rescue Roussanne Vin de Paille Half 2006
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HED2780

37.5 cl

10.5%
£225.00
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Though best known for their high quality dry red and white wines, Manfred and Elaine Krankl of the highly acclaimed California cult winery, Sine Qua Non, also produce very limited quantities of sweet wine made in the Vin de Paille style. In 2006, To The Rescue is made from 100% Roussanne from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard, air-dried on straw mats prior to fermentation and bottled with 290g/L of residual sugar. Though already with over a decade of bottle age, SQN’s sweet wines are renowned for having incredible ageing capacity.
98 Robert Parker
The 2006 To the Rescue Roussanne Vin de Paille has 290 grams of residual sugar per liter. Despite its aging in 100% new oak, there is not a hint of wood to be found in the aromas or flavors. This remarkable sweet white exhibits abundant aromas of orange marmalade, rose petals, honeysuckle, brown sugar, and spice. It looks like 10W40 motor oil, but its ample acidity provides uplift and vibrancy to its enormously endowed, sweet personality. Who knows how long it will last, but it definitely has 15-20 years of longevity, and it may surprise us all by living for 40-50 years.

Passing through what looks like a junkyard (or the first or second level of hell) to get to the warehouse of both bodily and spiritual pleasures called Sine Qua Non, is a hoot and a howl, but well worth it if you can somehow wrangle an appointment with the reclusive proprietor, Manfred Krankl. Tasting here is one of the highlights of my year, and all my expectations were satisfied if not eclipsed by what Krankl has made in 2007 and 2006. Oh, and there is one utterly perfect late-released 2005. Yields in 2007 were exceptionally low, with the Syrah averaging 1.5 to 2 tons of fruit per acre, Grenache 1.3 tons per acre, and the white grapes 1.28 tons of fruit per acre. Put another way, Krankl’s highest yields averaged a meager 1.05 to 1.55 pounds of fruit per vine. That in large part explains the compelling aromatics, texture, richness, and intensity of these wines. Add to that the compulsive viticultural work and fanatical attention to detail in the winery, and it’s no wonder Sine Qua Non remains one of California’s most remarkable reference points of world-class wines. The good news is that the first wine from the new home vineyard in Ventura County, the Cumulus Vineyard, has been produced. Moreover, the continued brilliance of the other estate vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, 11 Confessions, is confirmed. Over the last few years I have not been able to taste through the Sine Qua Non wines withou
93 Vinous
(for 375 ml.; 290 g/l r.s.) Orange-gold. Rich, pungent aromas of peach, apricot, floral honey and orange peel, plus a strong note of candied fig. Weighty, palate-staining pit fruit and date flavors are complicated by notes of honey and brown spices. Becomes sweeter with air while maintaining vivacity and focus, no doubt thanks to the 9.7 grams of acidity. The finish clings tenaciously and repeats the floral and honey notes. — Josh Raynolds, 1st November 2009

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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.

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