SINE QUA NON - The Gorgeous Victim - Grenache 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 Gorgeous Victim is predominantly made with Grenache (76%), along with Mourvèdre (10%), Syrah (9%), Petite Syrah (3.8%) and Viognier (1.2%). The grapes come from five vineyards; 46% from the Cumulus Vineyard in Oak View, 29% from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, 17% from The Third Twin Vineyard in Los Alamos, 6% from the Molly Aïda Vineyard in Tepusquet Canyon and 2% from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. 46% of the grapes are fermented in whole cluster, and the wine is aged for 23 months in French oak barrels, 23% of which is new, 48% used oak of various sizes and 29% in concrete tanks.
Grape varieties: 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah, 3.8% Petite Syrah, 1.2% Viognier