SINE QUA NON – In The Crosshairs Grenache 2006

Description

By Robert Parker in 2011 (RP100)
This is Sine Qua Non’s extended barrel-aged Grenache (meaning that in most vintages since 2003, Krankl has produced two cuvees of Grenache, one aged 18-22 months before bottling, and the other one with extended barrel-aging, in this case 32 months in wood). A blend of 84% Grenache, 12% Syrah and 4% Viognier, all from the 11 Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, this is one of the most extraordinarily elegant Grenaches Krankl has produced. It is an intellectual wine, yet it doesn’t wimp out by any means. It is full-bodied and voluptuously textured, with notes of spice box, licorice and Provencal herbs, copious quantities of black currant and kirsch liqueur, stunning richness and a finish lasting close to a minute. This amazing effort confirms Krankl’s meticulous and nearly obsessively detailed work in both the vineyard and the winery. Anticipated maturity: now-2022.

By Jeb Dunnuck in 2012 (JD100)
A wine that started out mind blowing, and just went up from there, was the 2006 Sine Qua Non Grenache In the Crosshairs! A blend of 84% Grenache, 12% Syrah, and 4% Viognier that spent a full 32 months in French oak, it delivers an incredible drinking experience with awesome aromatics, full-bodied richness, and a lightness and purity on the palate that’s hard to come by. Gorgeous red and black fruits, licorice, and assorted spices all emerge from this beauty and it is seamless, elegant, and perfectly proportioned. Despite the extended time in barrel, there is not a trace of wood and it stays remarkably pure, concentrated, and balanced. While this beauty should continue to shine for another decade, I see no reason to hold off.