2012 Sine Qua Non In The Abstract
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Tasting notes
Rich, concentrated and opulently textured, the grapes are so ripe, you get a sensation of sweetness, but this is from the perfectly ripe fruits, and not from fruit sugars. The character combines white peaches, citrus, hints of honeydew melon, green apple and pear, with just a hint of vanilla bean. This interesting blend combines the best of the northern Rhone, Southern Rhone and California grapes with its interesting blend of 37% Chardonnay, 31% Roussanne, 16% Petite Manseng and 16% Viognier.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
In the same league, the 2012 In The Abstract is a classic Sine Qua Non white blend of 37% Chardonnay, 31% Roussanne, 16% Petite Manseng and 16% Viognier. Coming from roughly equal parts Bien Nacido, Cumulus and Eleven Confessions vineyard, it spent just under 19 months in 48% used barrels (1-4 years old), 27% new French oak and the balance in concrete eggs. It sports a slightly darker color than the Chardonnay and offers up incredible notes of caramelized peaches, poached apples, white flowers and crushed rock that flow seamlessly to a full-bodied, decadent, yet classy and graceful feel on the palate. It’s a classic effort that doesn’t pull any punches, yet also never seems hot, heavy or puts a foot wrong. Enjoy this beauty over the coming decade or more. These latest releases from Sine Qua Non and Next of Kyn are at the pinnacle of wine, and it’s simply impossible to taste through these and not be blown away. While I think the star of the show at the moment is the 2010 vintage, the 2011s aren’t far behind, and the 2012s should rival them as well. In addition, to give you an idea how these wines age, don’t miss the recent 2004 retrospective on these wines that was published at eRobertParker.com. We finished the tasting with Manfred’s Next of Kyn releases, and these are the strongest set of wines yet to come out under this label. The focus here is exclusively on his estate Cumulus Vineyard planted around the estate in Oakview. Tel. (805) 649-8901; www.sinequanon.com
The 2012 White Wine In The Abstract represents a return to a much more opulent style after a few years in which the Sine Qua Non whites were a bit more energetic than is typically the case. Honey, apricot, mint, orange blossom and spices meld together in a huge, viscous wine that covers every inch of the palate. The purity of the fruit here is simply striking.
A dense and lemony white with lemon curd, cooked apple and hints of cream. Full-bodied, very deep and oily. Long and flavorful. Back to the legendary style of SQN.
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.