2008 Next of Kyn Cumulus Vineyard Syrah
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
Deep in color, with strong aromas of licorice, espresso bean, black and blue fruits, smoke and vanilla bean. The wine is big, yet not over the top. Everything feels in balance, even with everything that is going on. The wine is plush, rich, sweet, long and silky. Produced from a blend of 82% Syrah, 13.5% Grenache and 4.5% Roussanne, the wine enjoys extended barrel aging, as it spend close to 32 months in French, oak barrels. This was perfect with a rare slab of grilled, Flannery beef. 96 Points
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
The 2008 Syrah Cumulus Vineyard is impeccably silky and refined. Dark fruit, camphor, licorice, smoke and mocha flesh out in this gorgeous, delineated wine. The 2008 impresses for its length and persistence. Today, the 2008 is more refined and elegant than when I tasted it a year ago. The 2008 is 82% Syrah, 13.5% Grenache and 4.5% Roussanne (all destemmed) that spent approximately 32 months in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. ($1,100.00 per box of 3 bottles and 1 magnum) These are two gorgeous wines from Next of Kyn’s proprietors, Manfred and Elaine Krankl. The Next of Kyn wines are made exclusively from the Cumulus Vineyard, which surrounds the Krankls’ newly built winery in Oak View. Readers might want to take a look at the Sine Quan Non reviews for Manfred Krankl’s views on current and upcoming vintages. Tel. (805) 649-8901
Very intense nose of crushed blackberries, spices and minerals. Some tar. Full-bodied, with a wonderful depth of fruit and super fine tannins. Finishes with licorice, dark berries and hints of wet earth. This is sophisticated and precise. Best in 2012.
About the producer
The brainchild of Manfred Krankl, Sine Qua Non (commonly known as SQN) is a cult California producer whose wines are avidly collected. The winery focuses on Rhône-inspired blends, however is famously non-conformist with each release totally unique.