2008 Sine Qua Non | Grenache The Line Central Coast

Detailed Description

Reviews: 

• Wine Advocate: The 2008 Syrah B-20 is a cool, inward wine graced with layers of beautifully delineated, chiseled fruit. This is a distinctly mineral, precise style relative to the more outgoing 2009, but both are striking. Floral notes add lift as the finish turns explosive with a burst of dark fruit, tar, licorice and crushed rocks. This is one of the more understated wines readers are likely to come across from Sine Qua Non. It is gorgeous when given the time to open up. The B-20 is predominantly Syrah, with 6% Grenache and 2% Viognier. About half of the Grenache was fermented with whole clusters and the wine was aged in French oak (60% new) for 26 months. The vineyard sources are 52% Eleven Confessions, 18% Cumulus, 18% Bien Nacido and 12% White Hawk. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023
• Vinous:  The 2008 Grenache The Line explodes onto the palate with a rush of dark fruit, licorice and leather. It is a plush, muscular wine endowed with endless layers of flavor that build towards the multi-dimensional, eternal finish. I especially like the way the wine gains freshness and vibrancy as it sits in the glass. This is a striking, breathtaking wine from Sine Qua Non. The 2008 is a bigger, more powerful wine than its 2009 equivalent. In 2008 the blend is 87.5% Grenache, 11% Syrah and 1.5% Viognier. Roughly 21% of the wine (Grenache only) was fermented with whole clusters. The vineyard sources are 68% Eleven Confessions, 20% Cumulus, 9% Bien Nacido and 3% White Hawk.

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.