2016 Deux Grenouilles White
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Tasting Notes
The 2016 Deux Grenouilles is another brilliant white from this estate. Based on 36% Roussanne, 29% Chardonnay, 23% Viognier, and the balance Petite Manseng and Muscat, brought up 48% new French oak (the balance is in neutral oak and concrete eggs). This rich, full-bodied, incredibly elegant white offers up a smorgasbord of buttered citrus, orange blossom, flower oil, and honeyed minerality. Despite being a full-bodied, powerful wine, it stays fresh and graceful, with terrific freshness and acidity. It needs a decant if drinking any time soon and should keep for a decade or more.
Critic Scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Deux Grenouilles White bursts with expressive aromas of apricot preserve, yellow plums, dried flowers, orange rind and Acacia honey. It's a deftly judged blend of 36% Roussanne, 29% Chardonnay, 23% Viognier, 9% Petite Manseng and 3% Muscat, and the exotic aromatic contributions of the Viognier and Muscat don't drown out the subtle expressions of the other varieties. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, fat and lavish, with considerable satiny texture, juicy acids and a sapid, even savory finish that I suspect reflects the Petite Manseng component. It's a rich and dramatic white that should drink well on release and could well be very interesting with time in the bottle. The Deux Grenouilles was produced entirely from estate fruit with the exception of Chardonnay from Bien Nacido Vineyard, and it was vinified in 26% concrete eggs, 26% used barrels and 48% new oak.
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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.