2018 Sine Qua Non | Next Of Kyn Touriga Nacional | “Numero Quatro” | 1.5L

Detailed Description

Reviews: 

• Wine Advocate: This cuv√©e comes entirely from the Krankl‚Äôs ‚Äúhome‚Äù vineyard‚Äîthe Cumulus vineyard in Oak View, just south and inland from Santa Barbara, on the road to Ojai. There are now just over 12.5 acres planted at Cumulus. The first plantings of Syrah, Grenache and Roussanne took place in 2004. A little more Grenache was planted in 2005. Then in 2008, small blocks of Petite Manseng, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Mourvedre and Petite Sirah were added, including 3.5 acres on its own roots.
• Vinous: Fresh, bright dark ruby color. Brooding, powerful, slightly roasted aromas of blackberry liqueur, mocha and truffle. Then wonderfully sweet but sappy, with complex flavors of black fruits, tar, minerals and exotic chocolate. Not at all heavy; in fact, this is fresher and lighter on its feet than the nose suggests, with the underlying minerality energizing the wine. (Krankl told me this cuvee ‘concentrated itself from the inside out’ over the course of its time in barrel.) Wild, savory, idiosyncratic wine that finishes with outstanding building sweetness and late notes of smoke and maple syrup.

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.