Sine Qua Non - Rattrapante Grenache 2012 (750ml)

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Price: $744.99

Producer	Sine Qua Non
Country	United States
Region	Santa Barbara County
Subregion	Sta. Rita Hills
Varietal	Grenache
Vintage	2012
Sku	120005
Size	750ml
ABV	15.60%

Sine Qua Non Description

Logan

Sine Qua Non was created after the 1994 harvest of a Bien Nacido Syrah named “The Queen of Spades”. Winemaker Manfred Krankl feels strongly that each vintage is a completely unique wine and thus he gives each wine a unique name. He also creates the artwork for each new label himself. Previously, Manfred had made wines with Bryan Babcock and John Alban and still sources much of his fruit from Alban’s vineyard. The basic white wines have always been a white blend of Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier and a red wine based on Syrah plus Grenache. Sometimes there are small quantities of Rose and a Grenache-based red.

Sine Qua Non has its own winemaking facility in Ventura, California not far from the Santa Barbara vineyards where the fruit is sourced from. In the last few years Manfred and his wife, Elaine, have begun creating their own vineyards dedicated to Rhone varietals. Their winemaking philosophy is to work in very small batches, gravity flow, natural yeasts (unless a fermentation problem is anticipated), long lees aging for the whites and repeated racking for the reds to open them up. This is a modified explanation of a very dedicated and artistic approach to winemaking. The wines are simultaneously very rich and elegant, superbly balanced and thoroughly harmonious with food, never overwhelming.

100 points Wine Advocate

Outer quote mark A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start - and end - with “Wow.” Giving up tons of black raspberries, peppery herbs, licorice, dried flowers and cured meats, it’s a massively concentrated, rich and layered Grenache that somehow manages to stay graceful, lively and fresh on the palate. There are roughly 800 cases of this elixir and any Grenache lover should do their best to latch onto a bottle (or two). It’s also worth noting that this cuvee saw 26% whole clusters, which is a small change from past vintages. (JD) Inner quote mark (8/2016)

97 points Vinous

Outer quote mark The 2012 Grenache Rattrapante, from Eleven Confessions, is deep, powerful and voluptuous, with a striking interplay of fruit, structure and overall intensity. Thus is another wine that is going to need time to fully come together. Hints of smoke, licorice, new leather, cherry jam and pomegranate meld into the huge, creamy finish. Dollops of Syrah and Petite Sirah round out the blend. The 2012 was done with about 26% whole clusters and aged for 33 months in French oak, around 27% new. (AG) Inner quote mark (9/2016)