Krankl Wine
Sine Qua Non
Stockholm Syndrome Grenache 2010
2010 SQN Stockholm Syndrome Grenache. So I wasn’t planning on posting any notes from my New Year’s Eve selections because sometimes you just need to enjoy the evening, but this wine is just so unbelievably phenomenal, I quite honestly just can’t stop thinking about it. I found myself just continually going back to this wine over the course of the evening. This supermodel immediately draws you in with her enticing nose of cassis, exotic spice, soy and purple flowers. Now that she has your full attention, she teases you with a rich and seamless palate of sweet blueberry pie, blackberry liqueur, liquid smoke, incense, licorice, black pepper and smokey duck sauce. Finally, she grabs you by the lapels and plants a seductive finishing kiss that just won’t quit. Im in love. I know I sound like a broken record, but I think this Krankl guy may just make it if he can keep this up. — 8 years ago
Sine Qua Non
And An Eight Track California Rosé 2013
2013 SQN "...And An Eight Track" Rose'. I look at these as Manfred's in your face, over the top, hedonistic homage to life wines. Throw all of your preconceived notions of what a Rose' should be right out the window. These wines celebrate life. No review today. Happy Memorial Day. Don't think. Enjoy. Recently, I've had a little back and forth with a non-SQN believer who shall remain nameless. You know the type. "I just don't get SQN" (And man, do I ever hate that phrase. Surprisingly, don't think I've ever heard "I just don't get DRC"). Anyway, I let it upset me more than it should have. To each his own. Drink what you love, but for my money, give me Mr Krankl anytime! — 8 years ago
Harlan Estate
The Maiden Napa Valley Red Bordeaux Blend 1998
Gorgeous ruby, purple color. Knockout nose of cocoa, blackberries and cassis. On the palate, black currents, melted chocolate, espresso, graphite as well as an earthy quality. Supple tannins and a wonderful richness. This Harlan second label is probably better than most producer's primary. I don't drink much Cabernet as I've been driven from the market because of ever increasing costs (I only have room for a couple high end wines, and who in their right mind would ever say no to Mr Krankl?), but I always feel regretful whenever I open a great one and see what I'm missing. — 9 years ago
Sine Qua Non
The Hoodoo Man Chardonnay Blend 2006
2006 Sine Qua Non "The Hoodoo Man" White Blend
39% Roussanne, 31% Viognier and 30% Chardonnay. 15.8% alcohol. “There ain’t a horse that can’t be rode, there ain’t a man that can’t be throw’d” Yet another of my Sine Qua Non guilty pleasures. Similar to the 2009 “The Thrill Of Stamp Collecting” and the 2011 “Patine,” this is one of those Sine Qua Non wines that I find to be a might more compelling than the expert reviews. I can’t quite put my finger on exactly why, but this one has always sort of tickled my fancy, and never fails to please. Ive always been rather fond of the perhaps Grant Wood, American Gothic inspired label. Now, some 12 years down the road, as with most of Manfred’s whites, the extra cellar time has just added nuance to this sexy effort. Lustrous, radiant gold in the stem, with a stunning bouquet of smoky, nutty peach cobbler with hints of white flowers lurking in the background. Tropical fruits and orange marmalade with a toasty, butterscotchy finish of substantial length. Absolutely wonderful acidity. Unctuous, oily texture that I treasure. Powerful and intense. Great balance. I like to taste great whites slightly warmer than cellar temperature, but I would say this one just got better and better with more air and as it warmed. Just beautiful. “Salud, chindon Mr. Krankl!”
— 7 years ago
Sine Qua Non
Raven Series No. 5 Syrah 2006
2006 Sine Qua Non "The Raven" Series No. 5
I decided to cut my SQN French class today with all the new French named SQN labels and go slightly old school with the Raven. But instead, I found myself still mired squarely in the Northern Rhône Valley. Perhaps Manfred should have named this one “Corbeau” or “Noir Comme du Charbon” because this one has me thinking Guigal La La. As these older SQN’s age, they seem to take on more Northern Rhône characteristics. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Grenache, and 2% Viognier primarily from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard with small quantities from the Bien Nacido and White Hawk vineyards. Bottled after spending 22 months in oak casks. Potpourri of sweet black and blue fruits, forest floor, Asian spice, bacon fat, tar, black olives and spring flowers on the almost overwhelmingly sumptuous nose. Mind-blowing really.
On the palate, blackberry jam, cracked white pepper, cherries, cinnamon, tobacco and allspice. Opulent mouthfeel. Ethereal texture. Dense, seamless, elegant. Complex, bold, rich and layered. So much finesse. “Tres Bon”Mr. Krankl!
— 7 years ago
Sine Qua Non
Ox Pinot Noir 1999
1999 Sine Qua Non “Ox” Pinot Noir from the wonderful Shea Vineyard in Yamhill County, Oregon. 14% alcohol. I’ve always loved the simple label on this gigantic bottle with the cavernous punt. And I was all ready to wax poetic about the romance of opening one of these older SQNs as, based on a couple of recent tastings, I was told that this bottle is well over the hill. Well, that just ain’t so. At least not with this bottle which has been lovingly stored since release. Now I’m not going to try and convince you that the “Ox” is at its peak, but the old girl still has some tricks up her sleeve. Crystal clear, bright, medium garnet appearance. A little bricky on the edges. Smokey notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, truffles and clove on the nose. Quite vibrant palate of sweet strawberries and cola as well as spice box with a hint of vanilla, toast and that clove. A touch earthy. Nice acidity. Super silky mouthfeel. Short, but decent smokey finish with a bite reminiscent of Sweet Tarts candy. Tangy! Extremely enjoyable! Well made is well made. Chapeau Mr. Krankl! — 8 years ago
Lillian Winery
California Syrah
Maggie was once a student under Manfred Krankl, this bottle was her second vintage. Shows a restrained nose even after 3 hours after the decant. Hints of wild game and blackberry compote on the nose. Sweet tannins that integrate well and provide backbone. Layers of cassis, plum and wild flowers set up a stellar finish that sails for over a minute. — 8 years ago
Sine Qua Non
Dangerous Birds Grenache 2007
1st off, Tarantella is just mind boggling! 1999 and still going strong. One of my all time favorite SQN whites. Honeyed perfume of mangos and tangerines. Still vibrant. Still fresh! Manfred's whites are beyond comparison. A league of his own. DB's aromatics are off the charts. Blackberry fruits, camphor and lavender (OK @Bill Bender get ready for @Dag Zapatero flower hatred). 10's across the board in both mouthfeel and texture. Massive yet elegant and light on it's feet. A Krankl hallmark. Lingering finish. 3 For 3 on Roman's Big 3 scale: Nose, Texture and Finish. Finally, Saxum. I didn't give this much of a decant as this was a late request from a friend. I'll not rate it now. Check in later in the evening. — 9 years ago
Antica Terra
Coriolis Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015
Great story behind this wine, with a FANTASTIC winemaker, Maggie Harrison, previously of SQN. She was great enough at what she was doing that Manfred Krankl pushed her out to start her own thing, and that was Lillian. Then a year later she found her self in Willamete Valley, beginning to produce knock out Pinot Noir. This stuff is WOW good, with muscle and great tenacity. I would love to see some age on it. :) — 7 years ago
Sine Qua Non
Atlantis Fe2O3-2c Grenache 2005
2005 Sine Qua Non "Atlantis Fe203-2a" California Grenache
15.3% alcohol. 93% Grenache and 7% Syrah. So I return yet again to sing the praises of one Manfred Krankl, the Man, the Myth, the Legend. I originally pulled this bottle for an El Ideas dinner I was unfortunately unable to attend. The bad news is that I missed the artistry of @phillipfoss. The good news is that it’s here tonight. This is a wine that demands your complete and undivided attention which it never would have received in a restaurant setting with other wines. It needs to be doted on like the pretty girl at the dance. It needs to be the absolute center of attention. One of the highlights (and there are legion) of any SQN for me is the aromatic extravaganza I’ve come to expect, and this wine’s initial profile when the cork is pulled is akin to walking into a florist. That perfumed fragrance just floods the room. More swirling reveals sandalwood, anise, dark berries with some orange peel and just a touch of mint. It’s intense. It’s like when the server removes the cloche on an @grantachatz Alinea dish, and that scent wafts up and just engulfs you. You become immersed in that sensory overload. The show continues with an initial palate of succulent red fruits and kirsch, with notes of dark chocolate, espresso and that mint I mentioned on the nose. Subsequent returns to the glass reveal hints of grilled meats, sage and forest floor. Tannins and texture are pure silk. Persistent, fresh and slightly spicy finish of great length. The wine is beautifully integrated. Complex. Elegant. Wonderfully pure. Perfection? Let’s just say that if this wine isn’t first in its class, it doesn’t take long to call the roll.
— 8 years ago
of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath
borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how
abhorred in my imagination it is!
Me Buy wine, me open wine, me drink wine & me like wine! Reviews are not poetry to your ears?
Sine Qua Non
Covert Fingers Pinot Noir 2004
2004 Sine Qua Non Covert Fingers Pinot Noir. 14.9% alcohol from the Santa Rita Hills Vineyard. Beautiful, youthful garnet hues with a seductive bouquet of dark fruits and freshly cut flowers on the nose. On the palate, sweet, ripe cherries predominate with notes of cinnamon and candied orange rind nicely balanced against a yeasty, freshly baked bread-like savoriness that blows me away. Texture in Spades. Wonderful acidity. Complex and perfectly balanced. My brother-in-law Joe said it best when he described the wine as ethereal. Wine of the weekend for me which is saying something since the weekend just started. Hate to sound like a broken record, but Manfred Krankl. Nuff said! — 8 years ago
Bevan Cellars
Moaveni Vineyard Syrah 2013
2013 Bevan Moaveni "Ode To M" Syrah. A tribute to my friend and idol Manfred Krankl, the bottle was gifted to me by my great friend @DAG , a man whose heart and generosity is almost as big as his mustache. But back to the wine, camphor, berries and licorice on the nose. The palate is an explosion of sweet blueberry compote with notes of barbecued meats and lavender. Super, super rich. Incredibly pure. Endless finish. A beautiful tribute that I'll not soon forget. Thanks Dag! — 9 years ago
Sine Qua Non
Poker Face Syrah 2004
101/100!!! Manfred Krankl is my Hero! — 9 years ago
Roman Sukley
2008 Next of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Cumulus Vineyard No. 2" Central Coast Syrah. Pictured next to the inaugural vintage box, and documenting my disturbing inability to remove the cork in one piece, let’s begin with a quote from Manfred regarding the genesis of the brand: “The name is in reference to the fact that it is the next closest relative to SINE QUA NON, yet it is separate and different, and with its own personality, character and style. Implied is also a dose of hopefulness, of wishful thinking, that one of our five kids will someday take it over as his or her own.” (Unless my reverse adoption petition is granted, fingers crossed). The wines all emanate from Cumulus Vineyard, the Krankls’ first true estate vineyard. Most of the Syrah is planted on own-rooted, head-trained vines. The first three vintages were essentially Syrah-based, with some Grenache and Roussanne, all done with fully destemmed fruit. The wine spends around 30 months in French oak, with around 50% new oak. This particular vintage, which might very well be my favorite, is absolutely firing on all cylinders right now on its 10th Anniversary. So good in fact, that I will be looking to pick up a few more asap. 4 hour decant. Midnight black in the stem. Darker even than the 17th Nail from a week ago. Gorgeous bouquet of freshly baked, smokey blueberry pie cooling on the windowsill next to a vase of violets and lavender. Pleasing palate of sweet black cherry compote, licorice and Asian spices with just a hint of bacon fat. Lengthy, spicy finish. Beautiful structure. Lush and concentrated. I may need to add this to my guilty pleasures list as I don’t believe this was a critical standout. At least not by Manfred Krankl standards. Maybe the experts need to revisit?
— 7 years ago