Sine Qua Non Syrah Stock 2012
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Parker
Robert
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A step up from the Grenache, the blockbuster-styled 2012 Syrah Stock checks in as a blend of 84% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 6% Petit Sirah, and the rest Viognier and Mourvedre, that was fermented with 32% whole clusters and aged in just over half new French oak. It offers stunning notes of blackcurrants, cassis, smoked meats, ground pepper and wild herbs to go with a full-bodied, unctuous, layered, yet always graceful and elegant feel on the palate. Nicely structured, with perfect overall balance, it still has the open-knit character of the vintage, yet has plenty of underlying structure, which at the moment is slightly hidden by the wine's lavish fruit. It will be better in 2-3 years, and have two decades of overall longevity.
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.