Sine Qua Non's 2020 Eleven Confessions in original wooden case: three Syrah and three Grenache from the estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. It was a hot growing season, and both wines are powerful, with the freshness this cool-climate site brings.
About This Wine
The 2020 Syrah is 84% Syrah, 11.5% Grenache, 2.3% Petite Sirah and 2.2% Viognier and Gelber Muskateller, fermented with a quarter whole clusters and aged 38 months in 58% new French oak. The Grenache is about 82% Grenache with 12% Syrah, 3% Petite Sirah and a little Gelber Muskateller, made with 27% whole clusters and 38 months in 41% new French oak. Jeb Dunnuck scored the Grenache 100 points, and Vinous gave both wines 98.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Syrah: red and blue fruit, cracked pepper, graphite and cured meat, with a salty sea-breeze note. Grenache: raspberry, pomegranate, tapenade and roasted herbs.
- Palate: The Syrah is dense and powerful with building tannin; the Grenache rich and velvety with a deep middle.
- Finish: Both finish long, the Syrah dark and savoury, the Grenache spicy with an iron note.
Serving & Food
Open the Grenache first, as the Syrah benefits from a few more years in bottle and a longer decant of two hours. Serve both at 16 to 18°C. Expect them to drink well for two decades. Good with roast leg of lamb, beef short rib, or duck with hoisin.
How to Enjoy
Comparing the two estate varieties from one vintage, and cellaring a case with a long future.
Product Details
Producer: Sine Qua Non
Country: USA
Region: Central Coast, California
Vineyard: Eleven Confessions, Sta. Rita Hills
Vintage: 2020
Contents: 3 x Syrah, 3 x Grenache
Élevage: 38 months, French oak
Format: 6 x 750mL, original wooden case
About the Winery
For most of its history Sine Qua Non bought fruit as well as growing it, sourcing from growers such as John Alban and the Bien Nacido vineyard. Over the years the Krankls bought and planted their own sites to take full control of farming.
2020 marked a turning point: from that vintage, all of SQN's grapes come from its own vineyards. These are Eleven Confessions in the Sta. Rita Hills, Cumulus at the home winery in Oak View, The Third Twin in Los Alamos and Molly Aida.