2002 Sine Qua Non | Heart Chorea Syrah

Detailed Description

Reviews: 

• Wine Advocate: SQN‚Äôs Syrahs are dynamite. In 2001, Krankl began to experiment with a limited production Syrah aged over 40 months in new oak (a la Marcel Guigal‚Äôs famous Cote Roties – La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque). The second rendition of this cuvee, the 2002 Heart Chorea, is a Cote Rotie-like blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Most of the fruit comes from the Alban and White Hawk vineyards. The opaque purple-colored 2002 Heart Chorea possesses extraordinary levels of concentration, intensity, and subtle nuances, a fabulous nose of charcoal, acacia flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, pain grille, and espresso roast. Opulent, full-bodied, and super-intense
• Vinous: Saturated, bright ruby-red. Slightly high-toned, ineffably complex nose combines red and black fruits, smoked bacon, herbs, minerals, licorice, violet and gingerbread-is this syrah or what? Wonderfully concentrated and bright, showing an almost confectionery sweetness to its primary black fruit, brown spice and fruitcake flavors. The wine’s great verve and intensity, along with its extraordinary length, suggest that it will enjoy a leisurely evolution in bottle. This wine was bottled in mid-May of this year, which means it spent 43 months in barrel.

Producer Information

Sine Qua Non has its own winemaking facility in Ventura, California not far from the Santa Barbara vineyards where the fruit is sourced from. In the last few years Manfred and his wife, Elaine, have begun creating their own vineyards dedicated to Rhone varietals. Their winemaking philosophy is to work in very small batches, gravity flow, natural yeasts (unless a fermentation problem is anticipated), long lees aging for the whites and repeated racking for the reds to open them up. This is a modified explanation of a very dedicated and artistic approach to winemaking. The wines are simultaneously very rich and elegant, superbly balanced and thoroughly harmonious with food, never overwhelming.