Santa Barbara Sine Qua Non Trouver l'Arêne Manfred Krankl 2015

The Sine Qua Non winery was founded by Austrian born Manfred Krankl, who immigrated to California in the 1980s. After a few years spent opening restaurants, he settled in Ventura to make wine as a hobby. Encouraged by friends and family who enjoyed his wines, he started marketing it in 1994. His first wine was awarded an excellent 95/100 by Robert Parker. The famous American wine critic subsequently awarded him a multitude of 100/100 scores and even dubbed him “One of the most creative and multidimensional winemakers on planet Earth”. In 2004, he began growing his own vines and gradually stopped buying in grapes. His vineyard is a reference for Santa Barbara County, but his limited output means that his wines are extremely sought after.

This cuvée is a complex blend of Syrah, Petite Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache and Viognier, all farmed organically (without certification). It is vinified traditionally with ambient yeasts, pumping over and punching down during fermentation and maceration. The wine is then matured for 22 months in oak casks (48% new). It exudes complex notes of black fruits, tobacco, game, garrigue and chocolate. Dense and concentrated on the palate.