Sine Qua Non Ziehharmonika Syrah (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2018
Syrah/Shiraz
-
Robert
Parker -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Sold Out - was $899.97
Ships Fri, Apr 26
You purchased this 10/18/23
0
Limit Reached
You purchased this 10/18/23
Product Details
Varietal
Producer
Vintage
2018
Size
1500ML
ABV
15.8%
Features
Collectible
Boutique
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Manfred Krankl did point out that the name of this wine is not definitely but probably going to be “Squeezebox.” There are still a bunch of hoops to jump through before the label is signed, sealed and delivered. He shared the artwork for the label with me, again probably final but not yet definite, but which I think fans of are going to love. Who knew Mr. K played the squeezebox?
Barrel Sample: 98-100 -
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2018 Syrah Ziehharmonika (this was previously released as "Squeezebox") looks to be another magical wine in the making. This release comes mostly from the Third Twin and Eleven Confessions Vineyards yet has 6% from the Cumulus Vineyard around the estate in Oak View. The blend is 82% Syrah, 6.7% Mourvèdre, 5% Petite Sirah, and the rest Grenache, all still aging in 51% new French oak. A killer nose of blue fruits, white and black pepper, lots of spice, white flowers, and a touch of minerality gives way to a full-bodied, beautifully textured 2018 with good acidity, plenty of underlying tannins, and the purity of fruit and elegance that makes 2018 such a compelling vintage.
Barrel Sample: 96-99
Sine Qua Non was created after the 1994 harvest of a Bien Nacido Syrah named “The Queen of Spades”. Winemaker Manfred Krankl feels strongly that each vintage is a completely unique wine and thus he gives each wine a unique name. He also creates the artwork for each new label himself. Previously, Manfred had made wines with Bryan Babcock and John Alban and still sources much of his fruit from Alban’s vineyard. The basic white wines have always been a white blend of Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier and a red wine based on Syrah plus Grenache. Sometimes there are small quantities of Rose and a Grenache-based red.
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.
DEE714501_2018 Item# 714501