1998 Sine Qua Non Backward and Forward
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Tasting notes
High pitched aromatics with notes of lemon, lime, petrol and apples. Dense, full bodied. On the palate, sweet, lemony, lime flavors with a spicy quality. Slightly hot finish. This was not a wine I enjoyed. For me, it was too over the top. It had too much of everything. It reminded me a bit of Turley’s White Coat. As a reference point, I liked the Albino much more. 88 Points
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The 1998 Roussanne and Chardonnay Backward and Forward is a blend of 30% Roussanne, 40% Chardonnay, and 30% Viognier. This effort is almost over the top, but I suspect when it is put together it will be sumptuous. The color is evolved, but the wine has surprisingly lively acidity for its richness and massive power. Notes of white peaches, honeyed apricots, coconut, and exotic fruits (was it mango or passion fruit?) challenge the olfactory senses. Full-bodied, dry, and thickly-textured, it should be a remarkable and individualistic white wine from Elaine and Manfred Krankl. Tel. (805)649-8901; Fax (805) 640-1230
The 1998 Roussanne and Chardonnay Backward and Forward is a blend of 30% Roussanne, 40% Chardonnay, and 30% Viognier. This effort is almost over the top, but I suspect when it is put together it will be sumptuous. The color is evolved, but the wine has surprisingly lively acidity for its richness and massive power. Notes of white peaches, honeyed apricots, coconut, and exotic fruits (was it mango or passion fruit?) challenge the olfactory senses. Full-bodied, dry, and thickly-textured, it should be a remarkable and individualistic white wine from Elaine and Manfred Krankl. Feb 2000, www.robertparker.com
Pale peach skin color. Deep, complex nose of apple, nut skin, apricot and minerals; this somewhat resembled a bottle of 1990 Pol Roger Winston Churchill I had tasted 15 minutes earlier. Thick, penetrating and solidly structured; rich, nuanced flavors of vanilla, minerals, apricot and superripe peach. Wonderful sweetness and chewy texture more akin to the Southern Rhone than to Southern California. Great building length on the finish. Close in quality to the extraordinary '95 Sine Qua Non white blend labelled The Bride.
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.