SINE QUA NON - The Hated Hunter - Syrah 2017
Sine Qua Non is located in California, just north of Los Angeles in Ventura County, with most of its vineyards in Santa Barbara while the home vineyard and the winery are based in Oak View. Sine Qua Non's first vintage was 1994, as Austrian-born winemaker Manfred Krankl released three barrels of Syrah as "Queen of Spades" with a label he had designed himself. Krankl sent a bottle to Robert Parker, who promptly gave the wine 95 points. The brand managed by Manfred Krankl and his wife Elaine has become a cult favourite since its beginnings; small volumes mean that demand has consistently outstripped supply.
The Hatred Hunter is predominantly made with Syrah (82.4%), along with Petite Syrah (7.8%), Mourvèdre (5.2%), Grenache (2%), Viognier (1.4%) and Petit Manseng (1.2%). The grapes come from four vineyards; 41% from The Third Twin Vineyard in Los Alamos, 32% from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, 25% from the Cumulus Vineyard in Oak View and 2% from the Molly Aïda Vineyard in Tepusquet Canyon. 26% of the grapes are fermented in whole cluster, and the wine is aged for 23 months in French oak barrels, 59% of which is new.
Grape varieties: 82.4% Syrah, 7.8% Petite Syrah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache, 1.4% Viognier, 1.2% Petit Manseng