SINE QUA NON - Profuga - Grenache 2018
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.
Profuga is predominantly made with Grenache (77.5%), along with Mourvèdre (10%), Syrah (8.3%), Petite Sirah (3.3%) and Viognier (0.9%). The grapes come from four vineyards; Cumulus, The Third Twin Estate Vineyard, Eleven Confessions and Bien Nacido. 41% of the grapes are fermented in whole cluster, the small portion of the Viognier was co-fermented with red grapes, but because it ripens earlier than the reds, the white berries were frozen and added to the reds at the time of fermentation. These frozen grapes helped a cool and, therefore, slow the fermentation. The wine was aged for 23 months in 37% new French oak, 57.8% used oak and 5.2% concrete vats.
Grape varieties: 77.5% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 8.3% Syrah, 3.3% Petite Sirah, 0.9% Viognier