Wine Advocate (100)

Sine Qua Non Grenache Jusqu' a l'os 2013 (100 pts) The 2013 Grenache Jusqu' a l'os was produced from 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 (bottled December 6, 2016). It displays a medium to deep garnet color and rock star vibrant red currant and black raspberry scents with hints of licorice, mocha, Indian spices and peppered salami plus oh-so-fragrant and seductive touches of potpourri and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and opulently fruited in the mouth, the alluring, velvety tannins support savory, spicy layers right through the long, mineral-laced finish. This is one drop dead gorgeous, femme fatale of a wine. 868 cases of 750 milliliter bottles, 223 magnums and 30 double magnums were made. Drinking Window: 2018 - 2035 Sine Qua Non Syrah Le Supplement 2013 (100 pts) Coming entirely from the Eleven Confessions Estate Vineyard and composed of 89% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, 3% Grenache and 2% Viognier, using 28% whole cluster, the 2013 Syrah Le Supplement is just starting to evolve into beguiling earthy/meaty tertiary notes with suggestions of sandalwood, mossy bark, black soil, patchouli and salami over a core of blackberry compote, preserved plums, mincemeat pie and star anise with a touch of dried lavender. Rich, concentrated and decadent, the full-bodied, opulent palate explodes with black fruits preserves peppered by meaty/savory nuances and culminating in epically lingering exotic spice notes. 866 cases, 228 magnums and 30 double magnums were produced. Drinking Window: 2018 - 2038

Wine Advocate (100)

Sine Qua Non Grenache Jusqu' a l'os 2013 (100 pts) The 2013 Grenache Jusqu' a l'os was produced from 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 (bottled December 6, 2016). It displays a medium to deep garnet color and rock star vibrant red currant and black raspberry scents with hints of licorice, mocha, Indian spices and peppered salami plus oh-so-fragrant and seductive touches of potpourri and chargrill. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and opulently fruited in the mouth, the alluring, velvety tannins support savory, spicy layers right through the long, mineral-laced finish. This is one drop dead gorgeous, femme fatale of a wine. 868 cases of 750 milliliter bottles, 223 magnums and 30 double magnums were made. Drinking Window: 2018 - 2035 Sine Qua Non Syrah Le Supplement 2013 (100 pts) Coming entirely from the Eleven Confessions Estate Vineyard and composed of 89% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, 3% Grenache and 2% Viognier, using 28% whole cluster, the 2013 Syrah Le Supplement is just starting to evolve into beguiling earthy/meaty tertiary notes with suggestions of sandalwood, mossy bark, black soil, patchouli and salami over a core of blackberry compote, preserved plums, mincemeat pie and star anise with a touch of dried lavender. Rich, concentrated and decadent, the full-bodied, opulent palate explodes with black fruits preserves peppered by meaty/savory nuances and culminating in epically lingering exotic spice notes. 866 cases, 228 magnums and 30 double magnums were produced. Drinking Window: 2018 - 2038

Sine Qua Non Patine Collector Case 2011 contains:

3x75cl Sine Qua Non Grenache Patine 2011

97 points | Wine Advocate (Jeb Dunnuck)
Coming all from Manfred's Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and a blend of 77% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 1% Viognier (fermented with 25% whole clusters), the 2011 Grenache Patine spent a full 33 months in almost all neutral oak, with just 11% being new. It offers perfumed and spice-laced notes of white pepper, black raspberry, blackberry and ground herbs that flow to a full-bodied, elegant, nicely concentrated 2011 that has nicely integrated acidity, no hard edges and a terrific finish. It's certainly one of the fresher, more elegant Grenaches from Manfred, yet it still has rocking levels of fruit. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy bottles over the following decade.

97 points | Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
The 2011 Grenache Patine has turned out beautifully. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha, spice and leather meld together in the glass as this savory, beautifully layered wine opens up. Herb, graphite, smoke, sage and tobacco add shades of nuance in a delineated Grenache that captures the best of this cool, late-ripening year. Patine is 77% Grenache, 22% Syra and 1% Viognier, all from Eleven Confessions, done with 25% whole clusters and aged for 33 months in French oak barrels, 11% new.

 

3x75cl Sine Qua Non Syrah Patine 2011

98 points | Wine Advocate (Jeb Dunnuck)
A wine that needs to be forgotten in the cellar for 5-6 years, the 2011 Syrah Patine checks in as a blend of roughly 97% Syrah and the balance Roussanne and Viognier. It too comes all from the estate's Eleven Confessions Vineyard and saw 39 months in 63% new French oak. Backward, tight, concentrated and structured, with full-bodied richness and depth, it gives up Guigal La Landonne like aromas and flavors of graphite, sweet oak, smoked meats, pepper and black raspberry and cassis-like fruit. While it shows the vintage's cooler nature, it has a stacked mid-palate and will evolve gracefully for 15-20 years.

96 points | Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
The 2011 Syrah Patine is deep, powerful and intense, with huge fruit and texture, especially within the context of the year. Mocha, plums, violets, bittersweet chocolate and dark spice meld into the deep, voluptuous finish. As good as the 2011 is, it could use another few years to fully meld together. The 2011 is 97% Syrah, 2% Roussanne and 1% Viognier, all from Eleven Confessions, done with 22% whole clusters and aged for 39 months in French oak barrels, 63% new.

The collection case contains:

- Sine Qua Non "Ratsel" 2016 (1x150cl) - 100 (JD) | 99 (WA)

- Sine Qua Non "Dirt Vernacular" 2016 (1x150cl) - 100 (JD) | 98+ (WA)

Sine Que Non "Ratsel" 2016 is, in the words of Dunnuck, "pure perfection in Syrah". A truly majestic grape which is often wrongly overlooked in favour of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Syrah can achieve things the others simply cannot, especially in the hands of those who have completely mastered it - Ratsel is massively concentrated and intense but retains a savoury edge to just season the layers-upon-layers of fruit, keeping this wine almost addictive. Perfectly balanced with ultra-fine tannins, its finish is seemingly endless yet utterly weightless.

Whilst "Dirt Vernacular" is technically a blend, close to 80% of this wine is Grenache and it is this slightly more niche grape that really sings throughout the cuvee. Describing it as "straight-up heavenly stuff that tops out on my scale this year", Dunnuck once again found perfection in a 2016 Rhone varietal from Sine Qua Non. Grenache of this caliber is formidably structured yet exquisitely layered. The aromas of kirsch, berries, dark fruits, graphite, granite and fresh herbs never overwhelm, but rather introduce themselves with confidence and authority. The Krankls signature ability to combine power with elegance is yet again felt in this wine - one of the greatest Grenache-based wines ever made in California.

Vinous (95)

The 2009 Syrah The Thrill Of... impresses for its poise and underlying energy. Dark fruit, spices, licorice and violets sit on a core of firm tannin as this powerful wine opens up in the glass. Today, The Thrill Of...comes across as very, very young. The intensity of the fruit and the oak are dominant today. In another few years the wine should be spectacular. The Thrill of is 90% Syrah, 6% Grenache and 4% Viognier, all destemmed and mostly from estate owned vineyards.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

Checking in as 82% Syrah, 6.7% Mourvèdre, and the rest Petite Sirah and Grenache, the 2018 Syrah Ziehharmonika was largely destemmed and brought up in 51% new French oak. Gorgeous crème de cassis, smoked game, bacon fat, and spring flower notes all soar from the glass of this beauty, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, and a rare mix of richness and freshness. Unquestionably made in a more restrained, elegant style compared to a decade ago, it nevertheless is flawlessly balanced, has awesome tannins, and is just another magical wine from this address that's going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

Checking in as 82% Syrah, 6.7% Mourvèdre, and the rest Petite Sirah and Grenache, the 2018 Syrah Ziehharmonika was largely destemmed and brought up in 51% new French oak. Gorgeous crème de cassis, smoked game, bacon fat, and spring flower notes all soar from the glass of this beauty, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, and a rare mix of richness and freshness. Unquestionably made in a more restrained, elegant style compared to a decade ago, it nevertheless is flawlessly balanced, has awesome tannins, and is just another magical wine from this address that's going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

The 2018 Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Gemelo checks in as a Petite Sirah-dominated blend that includes 22.1% Mourvèdre, 11.5% Graciano, and 3.4% Viognier. It’s the finest Petite Sirah to ever pass my lips and tops out my scale. Insanely good cassis, iron, bloody blue fruits, violets, graphite, and peppery herbs all emerge on the nose, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a deep, layered, incredibly seamless texture, no hard edges, and a brilliant finish. Hats off to Monsieur Krankl – I have no idea how he was able to make a Petite Sirah this good.