2010 Sine Qua Non | Five Shooter Syrah

Detailed Description

Reviews: 

• Wine Advocate:  The 2010 Syrah Five Shooter is straight up gorgeous. A massive wine that somehow holds everything together, it offers a wild array of cassis, blackberry, white chocolate, underbrush and pepper that flows to a full-bodied, layered Syrah that has masses of fine tannin and enough substance to evolve for decades. A blend of 85% Syrah, 5% Grenache, 3% Petite Sirah, 5% Roussanne and 2% Viognier that was fermented with 20% whole cluster and aged 22 months in 59% new French oak, it opens up beautifully in the glass and should be decanted if drinking anytime soon. Drink 2015-2030. About as good as it gets across the board, these singular, incredible wines are the result of an obsessive attention to detail at all stages of the wine making process. 
• Vinous:  I have tasted the 2010 Syrah Five Shooter on numerous occasions, and it has never been anything less than stellar. A stunning, expressive bouquet melds into layers of dark fruit, black pepper, sage, menthol, minerals and spices, all supported by intense graphite and melted road tar undertones. The wine seems to gain intensity with time in the glass, leading to a huge, explosive, saline-infused finish. The 2010 Syrah Five Shooter is a stunner from Sine Qua Non. The blend is 85% Syrah, 5% Grenache, 5% Roussanne, 3% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, with a total of 20% whole clusters, that spent 22 months in French oak barrels, about 59% new.

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.