Today we present one of the world’s iconic wineries, Sine Qua Non. This winery started with an incredible vision with their first release in 1994 as Manfred Krankl’s brainchild remains one of the most famed producers not only in the United States, but across the globe. Born in Austria, Manfred Krankl studied at the Hotel School in Gmunden, Austria and eventually moved to Los Angeles, California where he met his wife, Elaine. In 1989 Manfred became the wine director at Campanile and slowly began learning about winemaking. He first made wine from the 1990 vintage. He would later partner with wine legend John Alban until releasing his first wine, ‘The Queen of Spades’ in 1994 which was met with incredible critical acclaim.
Manfred and his wife now own 30 acres of estate vineyards and produce a massive range of wines, from Roussanne to Syrah to stunning dessert wines. Over the past year I have had ai chance to sit with several of these iconic wines (some enjoyed without tasting notes) and, like many others in the wine community, I am consistently amazed with the quality of the wines, regardless of vintage. A friend recently had me try the 2013 Sin Qua Non ‘Jusqu'a l'os Eleven Confession Vineyard Grenache (OB, 100) is one of the great wines I have tasted this year. Pilloy, soft and round, with insanely good flavor and aromatic range, this is a perfect wine for any serious collector of new world Grenache. Learn more about these very special wines at https://www.sinequanon.com Here are some of the Sin Qua Non wines that I have recently sampled.
2013 Sine Qua Non ‘Jusqu'a l'os Eleven Confession Vineyard’ Grenache- The simply magical 2013 Jusqu'a l'os Eleven Confession Vineyard’ Grenache is a blend of 79% Grenache from the 11 Confessions Vineyard as well as 18% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah. This was nearly all whole cluster fermented and then stored for 38 months in a combination of in 51% already used French oak, 41% concrete tanks and only 6% new French oak. The result is absolutely magical, as this wine is truly peaking now at the eight year mark. Texturally ethereal, the wine takes you on a journey spanning guava and cran-pomegranate flavors alongside shades of tar, anise and freshly tilled soils on the palate. Refined and precise, with a head-turning finish, this is up there with the great Grenache wines of the world. Drink 2021-2031- 100