Sine Qua Non Grenache The Gorgeous Victim 2017 (750ml)

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Producer	Sine Qua Non
Country	United States
Region	California
Varietal	Grenache
Vintage	2017
Sku	52010
Size	750ml

  

WA

98

V

97

Cumulus is our “home” vineyard. It is located in the rather little known area of Oak View (south of Santa Barbara) where we live and where we also have our winery. The area is relatively warm and therefore it typically is the first of our vineyards to be harvested. Here we have numerous small blocks of varying vine training styles. The first block was planted in 2004 and is comprised of Syrah, Grenache and Roussanne. In 2008 we planted two more blocks. These house the rare white grape Petite Manseng, the equally rare Portugese Touriga Nacional, as well as small amounts of Mourvedre, Petite Sirah and two more small Syrah sections. One of these blocks is trained in a sort of Cote Rotie style. It is a super dense planting at 4,350 vines per acre and also own-rooted (no foreign rootstocks grafted onto the scions).

The 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim (first tasted last year as a barrel sample and before it had been named) is composed of 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah, 3.8% Petit Sirah and 1.2% Viognier. The vineyard sources are: are 46% Cumulus Estate, 29% Eleven Confessions Estate, 6% Molly Aida Estate, 17% The Third Twin Estate and 2% Bien Nacido Vineyard. It was aged for around 23 months in 23% new French oak, 48% used oak (various sizes) and 29% concrete. Forty-six percent (mainly Grenache) was fermented using whole clusters. Deep garnet-purple in color, this wine has a very serious nose of game, fertile soil, crushed rocks and new leather over a wonderfully pure, well-defined core of crushed black cherries and ripe blackberries with wafts of unsmoked cigars and Sichuan pepper. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and built like a brick house, it has a solid backbone of firm, finely grained tannins and great acidity, finishing long and mineral laced. 1,212 cases and 600 magnums were made. "The Gorgeous Victim" features an old black and white photo on the label, taken by Manfred Krankl's grandfather, of a deer brought home, thoughtfully arranged and displayed with personal props in the middle of a floor. The name and, in fact, the style of the wine are intriguingly complementary to the picture, collectively creating a compelling story that I would defy drinkers to say is merely the power of suggestion. The companion 2017 Syrah to this Grenache is "The Hated Hunter"—a reference to Manfred's grandfather. Anticipated Maturity: 2022-2039

The 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim is even better from bottle than it was from barrel. It needs quite a bit of time to be at its best, so decanting is required in order for the wine to unleash all of its profound beauty. The aromatics alone are breathtaking. Varietal Grenache notes build as this stunning wine shows off its remarkable pedigree. Inky red fruit, blood orange and sweet floral notes are all laced into the wonderfully deep finish. The 2017 is 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah, 3.8% Petite Sirah and 1.2% Viognier, vinified with 46% whole clusters, from Cumulus, The Third Twin Estate Vineyard, Eleven Confessions and Molly Aïda (all estate ranches, and just a dollop of fruit from Bien Nacido.