Sine Qua Non
Jusqu'à l'Os Grenache
California, USA
Just a few bottles from an awesome Open That Bottle Night celebration this past weekend.
All the stuffing is there, but this needs a lot more time to get there. Not as open as the ‘12 Stein. Tight and unforgiving. A powerhouse of baked mixed berry pie, iron, teriyaki, and strong coffee beans.
Just a few bottles from an awesome Open That Bottle Night celebration this past weekend.
All the stuffing is there, but this needs a lot more time to get there. Not as open as the ‘12 Stein. Tight and unforgiving. A powerhouse of baked mixed berry pie, iron, teriyaki, and strong coffee beans.
Dark purplish ruby red. Layered and deep nose with tons of herbs, perfume, anise, and dark fruits. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Rich and powerful finish with tons of strawberry jam, black fruit, spices and herbs. All around fantastic. Long and killer finish. Drink till 2034.
Dark purplish ruby red. Layered and deep nose with tons of herbs, perfume, anise, and dark fruits. Heavy tannins (7.5/10) and full bodied. Rich and powerful finish with tons of strawberry jam, black fruit, spices and herbs. All around fantastic. Long and killer finish. Drink till 2034.
Dec 2nd, 2018
2013 Sine Qua Non "Jusqu' à l'os" Sta. Rita Hills Grenache.
Back yet again to Manfred’s obsession with French names, this one is most apropos as I just finished watching the French Grand Prix at circuit Paul Ricard (remember the name Charles Leclerc F1 fans). And the wine’s name is spot on because this brooding bruiser of a Grenache is definitely “Bad To The Bone” alright. 79% Grenache from the 11 Confessions Vineyard along with 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah, produced using 89% whole cluster and aged for around 38 months in 51% used oak, 6% new French oak and 43% concrete tanks. In the stem, deep Porsche Aubergine (one of my favorite vintage Porsche colors). Yet another in a long line of SQN “sit, swirl and contemplate” wines, this one has a highly perfumed nose of fresh raspberries, anise, spice box and freshly ground pepper. Full-throttled palate of plums, berries and that pepper, with earthy notes and toasted spices lurking in the background. Ultra-smooth tannins. Long, lingering kiss of a finish. Beautifully structured, this one takes the term “greatly concentrated” to a whole new level. Mr. Krankl definitely has a way with the finicky Grenache varietal. And yet again, his prowess as a master blender extraordinaire is on full display. Conventional wisdom says cellar, but it’s pretty darn good right now. Take a chance. Live a little!
2013 Sine Qua Non "Jusqu' à l'os" Sta. Rita Hills Grenache.
Back yet again to Manfred’s obsession with French names, this one is most apropos as I just finished watching the French Grand Prix at circuit Paul Ricard (remember the name Charles Leclerc F1 fans). And the wine’s name is spot on because this brooding bruiser of a Grenache is definitely “Bad To The Bone” alright. 79% Grenache from the 11 Confessions Vineyard along with 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah, produced using 89% whole cluster and aged for around 38 months in 51% used oak, 6% new French oak and 43% concrete tanks. In the stem, deep Porsche Aubergine (one of my favorite vintage Porsche colors). Yet another in a long line of SQN “sit, swirl and contemplate” wines, this one has a highly perfumed nose of fresh raspberries, anise, spice box and freshly ground pepper. Full-throttled palate of plums, berries and that pepper, with earthy notes and toasted spices lurking in the background. Ultra-smooth tannins. Long, lingering kiss of a finish. Beautifully structured, this one takes the term “greatly concentrated” to a whole new level. Mr. Krankl definitely has a way with the finicky Grenache varietal. And yet again, his prowess as a master blender extraordinaire is on full display. Conventional wisdom says cellar, but it’s pretty darn good right now. Take a chance. Live a little!
While I’m no @Roman Sukley I am a great admirer of Manfred and SQN. This was opened from mag and was the 15th wine I’d sampled that night. It was extremely tight and had not been decanted. I’m not going to rate for a number of reasons....but my guess on this is “hold” and you will be rewarded accordingly as you might expect from any of these incomparable wines. P.S. the label beckons me.
While I’m no @Roman Sukley I am a great admirer of Manfred and SQN. This was opened from mag and was the 15th wine I’d sampled that night. It was extremely tight and had not been decanted. I’m not going to rate for a number of reasons....but my guess on this is “hold” and you will be rewarded accordingly as you might expect from any of these incomparable wines. P.S. the label beckons me.
Apr 10th, 2018
Always great. Might be conservative with this rating
Always great. Might be conservative with this rating
Oct 26th, 2024
2013 Sine Qua Non Estate Grenache. 15.9% ABV. Middle bottle in the photo. Gail’s 65th BDay trip to Sonoma Valley. Midweek has much less traffic, but you deal with restaurants and stores that are closed. This was our second night wine at See Thai in Santa Rosa. Lovely restaurant with great food and portions. Wine went well with a bit of heat from the food. Lovely Grenache with a long finish.
2013 Sine Qua Non Estate Grenache. 15.9% ABV. Middle bottle in the photo. Gail’s 65th BDay trip to Sonoma Valley. Midweek has much less traffic, but you deal with restaurants and stores that are closed. This was our second night wine at See Thai in Santa Rosa. Lovely restaurant with great food and portions. Wine went well with a bit of heat from the food. Lovely Grenache with a long finish.
May 6th, 2023
2013 Vintage. 15.9% Alcohol. Still tightly wound and needing more cellar time or a 2 hour decant.
2013 Vintage. 15.9% Alcohol. Still tightly wound and needing more cellar time or a 2 hour decant.
May 10th, 2021