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Tasting notes

Tasting notes
Score 94-95/100 · Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, Jul 2005

(for 375 ml.; made from air-dried grapes from Alban Vineyard; 350 grams per liter of r.s., 12.8 grams of acidity and 7.8% alcohol) Deep orange-gold. Aromas of orange peel, clove, menthol and white raisin, with a whiff of Benedictine. Thick and spicy but less glyceral than the chardonnay owing to its huge acidity. And yet I find this less bright than the chardonnay. flavors dominated by the cherry/almond/marzipan family, with hints of honey, raisin, caramel and nuts. Finishes extremely long, with saline and white raisin hints.

Critic scores

Critic scores
97
97/100

Average Score

98
98/100

Robert Parker

98
98/100

Robert Parker

More reviews and scores

98 points
Robert Parker
Score 98/100 · Robert Parker, Jun 2005

There is one barrel of the Sine Qua Non cuvee, the 2001 Vin de Paille Inamorata, which spent 42 months in oak, resulting in 350 grams per liter of residual sugar, and a whopping 12.8 grams per liter of acidity. Tasting notes are inadequate to describe this profound sweet 100% Roussanne. A medium amber color is accompanied by a honeyed perfume revealing scents of marmalade, espresso, maple syrup, and flowers. Unctuously-textured yet incredibly fresh and lively (because of high acidity), this phenomenal wine should age effortlessly. Amazingly, the alcohol is only 7.8%. The fruit was air-dried on straw mats for over a month prior to pressing. The world’s most profound wines are always made by the same kind of people ... artists, craftspeople, revolutionaries, and traditionalists who have one overwhelming trait in common ... they are irrefutably dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, and their hearts, souls, and enormous talents are reflected in wines of singular personality and achievement. There are never any compromises, so it is no surprise that what takes place in these cellars is the transformation of a commonplace beverage into a form of drinkable art! Manfred Krankl and his charming wife, Elaine (referred to by Krankl as “E”), are on a roll given what has emerged from their funky warehouse/garage winery located in what looks like a discarded Hollywood set from the movie Mad Max. Finding a bottle or two of Sine Qua Non is no easy task since virtually all these wines are sold to longtime mailing list clients as well as the country’s finest upscale restaurants. However, some relief is in sight as Krankl is beginning to get fruit from his own Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. Moreover, he planted another vineyard in Ventura County on a bald outcropping that should produce some fascinating Rhone varietals. The upcoming releases all reveal Krankl’s magic touch, and like some of the finest wineries working with Rhone varietals, Manfred Krankl is a creative blender, recognizing that blends generally result in more nuances and flavor complexity than a single varietal cuvee. (Release date 4/06) Tel. (805) 649-8901

98 points
Robert Parker
Score 98/100 · Robert Parker

There is one barrel of the Sine Qua Non cuvee, the 2001 Vin de Paille Inamorata, which spent 42 months in oak, resulting in 350 grams per liter of residual sugar, and a whopping 12.8 grams per liter of acidity. Tasting notes are inadequate to describe this profound sweet 100% Roussanne. A medium amber color is accompanied by a honeyed perfume revealing scents of marmalade, espresso, maple syrup, and flowers. Unctuously-textured yet incredibly fresh and lively (because of high acidity), this phenomenal wine should age effortlessly. Amazingly, the alcohol is only 7.8%. The fruit was air-dried on straw mats for over a month prior to pressing. ||The world’s most profound wines are always made by the same kind of people ... artists, craftspeople, revolutionaries, and traditionalists who have one overwhelming trait in common ... they are irrefutably dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, and their hearts, souls, and enormous talents are reflected in wines of singular personality and achievement. There are never any compromises, so it is no surprise that what takes place in these cellars is the transformation of a commonplace beverage into a form of drinkable art!||Manfred Krankl and his charming wife, Elaine (referred to by Krankl as “E”), are on a roll given what has emerged from their funky warehouse/garage winery located in what looks like a discarded Hollywood set from the movie Mad Max. Finding a bottle or two of Sine Qua Non is no easy task since virtually all these wines are sold to longtime mailing list clients as well as the country’s finest upscale restaurants. However, some relief is in sight as Krankl is beginning to get fruit from his own Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills. Moreover, he planted another vineyard in Ventura County on a bald outcropping that should produce some fascinating Rhone varietals. The upcoming releases all reveal Krankl’s magic touch, and like some of the finest wineries working with Rhone varietals, Manfred Krankl is a creative blender, recognizing that blends generally result in more nuances and flavor complexity than a single varietal cuvee.||(Release date 4/06)||Tel. (805) 649-8901 Wine Advocate.June, 2005

About the producer

Sine Qua Non
Sine Qua Non

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.

View Producer

Product details

Grape Blend

Roussanne

Colour

White

Taste

Sweet

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