SINE QUA NON Eleven Confessions Syrah 2018

WA: 100

The 2018 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is slow to unfold but stunning once it opens, featuring layered aromas of cassis, coffee beans, garrigue and cracked pepper before segueing to soaring floral perfume. A blend of 82% Syrah, 10.6% Grenache, 5.3% Petite Sirah and 2.1% Viognier, it's made entirely of estate fruit. It was fermented with 28% whole clusters and matured about 38 months in 50% new French oak. It has an opaque ruby-purple in color, and the palate is full-bodied, powerful and seamless, boasting powdery tannins and integrated acidity. It has a concentrated core of floral fruit and a tremendously long finish. It was bottled on December 15, 2021, and tasted May 24, 2022. 978 cases and 276 magnums will be released in the fall of 2022.

VM: 98

The 2018 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is dark, sensual and layered, with tremendous freshness and energy backing a core of dark red/black fruit, chocolate, mocha, licorice and spice. The 2018 spent a whopping 38 months in French oak, 50% new, all of which it handles with aplomb. Elaine and Manfred Krankl were among the first to believe in the potential of Rhône varieties in the Sta. Rita Hills. Their 2018 from the estate vineyard is a total knock-out.