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Sine Qua Non Turn the Whole Thing Upside Down Grenache 2009
Sine Qua Non is Latin for, “without which, it could not be.” A true California Cult wine, the owner Manfred Krank believes each vintage is different and therefore every year the label and name change. 96 Points Robert Parker: "The 2009 Grenache Upside Down opens with a gorgeous bouquet redolent of freshly cut roses, berries, spices and licorice, all of which resonate on the palate. Gorgeous focus and length are in full evidence as the wine takes shape in the glass, showing dazzling purity and class. Silky tannins frame the exceptionally elegant, racy finish. This is a striking, mid-weight red with a bright future. This Grenache based blend includes 11% Syrah and 5 % Mourvedre. The vineyard sources are 72% Eleven Confessions, 22% Cumulus and 6% Bien Nacido. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019...This is a breathtaking set of wines from Sine Qua Non and Manfred Krankl."
Ratings on Delectable
Shay A 
As if Part 1 of Saturday night wasn’t incredible enough, Part 2 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH was all Sine Qua Non wines. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people. This was my contribution. I had this same wine about two weeks ago and thought this bottle was a hair better...main difference was serving temp (this was served just above cellar temp). I always prefer Syrah over Grenache, and that’s no different with SQN wines, but Manfred’s take on Grenache is spell binding to me. Pepperd strip, teriyaki, and spicy red fruit on the nose. Incredibly aromatic (as expected). 9yrs of age have taken this from brooding to densely, but elegant packed on the palate. Black pepper covered rhubarb pie and black cherry notes dominate the mid palate with a muddled cherry finish.
As if Part 1 of Saturday night wasn’t incredible enough, Part 2 of the final and main event for the Fall WNH was all Sine Qua Non wines. The most spectacular lineup of wines I’ve ever seen, and an overall wonderful ending to an amazing trip with fantastic people. This was my contribution. I had this same wine about two weeks ago and thought this bottle was a hair better...main difference was serving temp (this was served just above cellar temp). I always prefer Syrah over Grenache, and that’s no different with SQN wines, but Manfred’s take on Grenache is spell binding to me. Pepperd strip, teriyaki, and spicy red fruit on the nose. Incredibly aromatic (as expected). 9yrs of age have taken this from brooding to densely, but elegant packed on the palate. Black pepper covered rhubarb pie and black cherry notes dominate the mid palate with a muddled cherry finish.
9.6
Brian Tuite
Too sweet for me.
Too sweet for me.
8.0Steven Foster
Wine buyer Belmont Wine Exchange
What can I say, I love Sqn and heir Grenache and syrahs. Tasted alongside five shooter and dark blossom. Woo.
What can I say, I love Sqn and heir Grenache and syrahs. Tasted alongside five shooter and dark blossom. Woo.
9.6Steven Foster
Wine buyer Belmont Wine Exchange
Best young Grenache from sine qua non. So fruity and deep. Needs some time in glass but ready now.
Best young Grenache from sine qua non. So fruity and deep. Needs some time in glass but ready now.
10
Grant Everett
Great wine for 10th anniversary
Great wine for 10th anniversary
9.5
Joseph Barsky
2009 Vintage. Raspberry juice bomb.
2009 Vintage. Raspberry juice bomb.
9.7Mark Flesher
This wine is big. But, admittedly the Syrahs from this year seem to outdo the Grenaches by a hair or two. This wine has a slight hint of truffle on the nose, but is more red fruit dominated. Extracted. Smooth entry, very rounded edges. Some herbal notes on the middle. Smooth finish. Just enough acidity. This wine deserves a table of its own, but was enjoyed alongside about 14 other bottles today.
This wine is big. But, admittedly the Syrahs from this year seem to outdo the Grenaches by a hair or two. This wine has a slight hint of truffle on the nose, but is more red fruit dominated. Extracted. Smooth entry, very rounded edges. Some herbal notes on the middle. Smooth finish. Just enough acidity. This wine deserves a table of its own, but was enjoyed alongside about 14 other bottles today.
9.5
John Blackmon
Nearly black in color. Aromatics are profound upon pulling the cork. Tannins are fully resolved, but balanced acid remains. Manfred’s Grenache expression is so sexy. Dark fruit, herbs, hints of tar, earth. Do I detect horny violets? PnP ready.
Nearly black in color. Aromatics are profound upon pulling the cork. Tannins are fully resolved, but balanced acid remains. Manfred’s Grenache expression is so sexy. Dark fruit, herbs, hints of tar, earth. Do I detect horny violets? PnP ready.
9.6Joseph Barsky
Start of 60th BD celebrations.
Start of 60th BD celebrations.
9.6
Jim McCusker
An excellent grenache from The Master, this grenache doesn’t quite have the power of some of Manfred’s other grenaches (e.g., the long barrel-aged versions), but it’s still terrific. Fairly restrained and elegant nose of dried blueberries, violet, and maybe a hint of kirsch. The palate was seamless with flavors that evolved as the wine sat in the glass. It definitely benefitted from a few degree drop in temperature - brought out the acidity a bit more and provided a bit more backbone to the wine. The finish lingered, but thinned out just a bit (which is why I rated it (relatively) low for a SQN). Still better than 99.9% of the grenache wines produced anywhere in the world. Merry Christmas!!! (With more time in the glass, this wine really began to fatten out across the palate. Should have known better!)
An excellent grenache from The Master, this grenache doesn’t quite have the power of some of Manfred’s other grenaches (e.g., the long barrel-aged versions), but it’s still terrific. Fairly restrained and elegant nose of dried blueberries, violet, and maybe a hint of kirsch. The palate was seamless with flavors that evolved as the wine sat in the glass. It definitely benefitted from a few degree drop in temperature - brought out the acidity a bit more and provided a bit more backbone to the wine. The finish lingered, but thinned out just a bit (which is why I rated it (relatively) low for a SQN). Still better than 99.9% of the grenache wines produced anywhere in the world. Merry Christmas!!! (With more time in the glass, this wine really began to fatten out across the palate. Should have known better!)
9.5
See all reviews and ratings on Delectable WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.