2021 SQN 11 Confessions Syrah
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Tasting notes
The mind-boggling 2021 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard might be the finest young Central Coast Syrah I have ever tasted. It sports a deep purple hue and delivers a magnificent bouquet of ripe blue fruits, spring flowers, charcoal, black pepper, white chocolate, and savory bouquet garni nuances. It hits the palate with stunning purity and depth, offering full-bodied richness, a seamless and elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, no hard edges, and remarkable length. It comes across as a more elegant expression of the 2004 Poker Face, with some of the layered complexity and polish of the 2010 Stockholm Syndrome. This is a sensational Syrah that should evolve effortlessly over the next 15-20 years. The latest releases from Manfred and Elaine Krankl at Sine Qua Non show once again why this estate remains at the very top of California wine, and I always leave my tastings here utterly floored by what they consistently put in bottle. Looking at the wines reviewed here, the 2021s come from a hot, dry drought year that produced structured, concentrated wines reminiscent of 2010, 2013, and maybe even 2018. These are built for the cellar. The 2022s are riper and more extroverted, bringing to mind a slightly less concentrated version of the 2009s, 2012s, or 2019s. Drink these while you wait on the 2021s. The estate has also performed well in the cooler, longer 2023 growing season, with wines that are inky hued, concentrated, and nicely structured, yet supple enough to show well right out of the gate.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Billy Norris, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is magnificent. Opulent and utterly seamless, it captures the more exuberant side of the estate through the lens of a cool growing season. Waves of ripe blackberry and vanilla-laced spice introduce a wine of dazzling texture and polish, while notes of menthol and eucalyptus emerge with air to add freshness. Plush and expansive, the Eleven Confessions Syrah is the bottling in the range that most vividly channels what many think of as the classic Sine Qua Non house style. The blend is 85.7% Syrah, 9.7% Grenache, 1.3% Petite Sirah, 2.7% Gelber Muskateller and 1.3% Viognier.
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.