Nikolas Krankl, son of Manfred Krankl who founded cult sensation Sine Qua Non looks set to further the family business. Together with his wife Julia, Nikolas founded Fingers Crossed in 2017 using fruit from the vineyards of Sine Qua Non, amongst others. Like Sine Qua Non, Nikolas works with Rhône varietals, crafting enchanting Rhone blends that have won strong accolades from critics from the get to.

The Assortment case contains an equal mix of the estate Syrah and Grenache, reviews of which are as follows:

Fingers Crossed Unanswered Prayers Syrah 2021

96-98 points | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent)

'The 2021 Unanswered Prayers Syrah comes mainly from Bien Nacido Vineyard, plus smaller proportions from Rancho Boa Vista, and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards. It is composed of 83% Syrah with 4.7% Grenache, 4.7% Mourvèdre, 4.7% Petite Sirah, and 2.9% of the White Wine (Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Marsanne). It was made using 35% whole clusters and aged for 20 months in French oak, 63% new. Deep purple-black colored, it explodes with vibrant notes of juicy blackberries, fresh raspberries, and ripe plums, giving way to hints of tar, violets, licorice, and cracked black peppercorns. The palate is big, powerful, full-bodied, yet very bright, pure, and light on its feet. With a solid frame of velvety tannins, it finishes long and fragrant. This was bottled in July 2023. 437 cases were produced.'

95-97 points | Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate)

'I tasted the 2021 Syrah Unanswered Prayers on July 7, 2023, a few days before it was due to be bottled. It comes from the Bien Nacido, Rancho Boa Vista and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards. The blend includes 4.7% Grenache, 4.7% Mourvèdre, 4.7% Petite Sirah and 2.9% white wine. It was vinified using 35% whole clusters and matured for 20 months in 63% new French oak. Opaque ruby-purple, it's bursting with youthfully broody scents of blueberry preserves, blackcurrant, lavender, tar, game meats and peppermint patty. Full-bodied, powerful yet balanced, the palate features concentrated floral fruit, detailed, velvety tannins and seamless acidity that carries on through the shimmery finish. 437 cases are projected.'

Fingers Crossed Unanswered Prayers Grenache 2021

97-99 points | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent)

'The 2021 Unanswered Prayers Grenache comes from Bien Nacido, Rancho Boa Vista and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards. The composition is 76.5% Grenache with 11.3% Syrah, 5.5% Mourvèdre, 4% Petite Sirah, and a 2.7% splash of the White Wine (Chardonnay, Roussanne, and Marsanne) from this year. It was made with 42% whole clusters and aged 20 months in French oak, 38% new. Opaque purple-black colored, it leaps with bold notes of black cherries, black raspberries, and lilacs with nuances of tar, wild sage, and lavender. The bright, shimmery, full-bodied palate is laden with crunchy black fruits, textured by silky-soft tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with loads of floral and red berry sparks. This was bottled in July 2023. 438 cases were made.'

94-96 points | Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate)

'I tasted the 2021 Grenache Unanswered Prayers on July 7th, 2023, a few days before it was due to be bottled. Grapes were sourced from Bien Nacido, Rancho Boa Vista and Sanford & Benedict Vineyards, and the Grenache is blended with 11.3% Syrah, 5.5% Mourvèdre, 4% Petite Sirah and 2.7% white wine. It was vinified with 42% whole clusters and matured for 20 months in 38% new French oak. Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, it has pure, detailed aromas of wild berry jam, oolong and bergamot tea leaves, damp earth and bark. The medium-bodied palate is seamless, silky and light on its feet, boasting generously floral fruit and a long, graphite-driven finish. Broody yet delicate, it blossoms gloriously as it spends time in the glass, hinting at dynamic development once in bottle. 438 cases are projected.'

Nikolas Krankl, son of Manfred Krankl who founded cult sensation Sine Qua Non looks set to further the family business. Together with his wife Julia, Nikolas founded Fingers Crossed in 2017 using fruit from the vineyards of Sine Qua Non, amongst others. Like Sine Qua Non, Nikolas works with Rhône varietals, crafting enchanting Rhone blends that have won strong accolades from critics from the get to.

The Assortment case contains 5 bottles of the Unanswered Prayers White Wine and a single bottle of Rosé, which is incredibly rare and not produced every year.

Fingers Crossed Unanswered Prayers White Wine 2021

96-98 points | Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent)

'The 2021 Unanswered Prayers White is composed of 72% Chardonnay, 15.4% Roussanne, and 12.6% Marsanne mostly sourced from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, with a smaller proportion from Bien Nacido Vineyard. It was barrel fermented and aged for 21 months in French oak, 86% new. Prancing out of the glass with a fantastically fragrant nose of grapefruit oil, lemon curd, and lime blossoms, plus hints of lemongrass, shaved ginger, and allspice, the palate is full-bodied, rich, and seductively viscous. The subtle nuttiness to the opulent apple and baking spice flavors is offset by racy acidity, finishing yeasty. Bottled in July 2023, I suggest decanting this and keeping the decanter in the fridge for a good hour or two before serving, then taking it out for about 15-20 minutes before pouring it to ensure it’s not served too cold. Only 336 cases were made.'

94-96 points | Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate)

'I tasted the 2021 White Wine Unanswered Prayers on July 7, 2023, a few days before it was due to be bottled. This blend of 72% Chardonnay, 15.4% Roussanne and 12.6% Marsanne comes predominantly from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, with the balance from Bien Nacido Vineyard. It was barrel fermented and matured for 21 months in 86% new French oak. "I would describe our white winemaking as risky," proprietor Nik Krankl explains. "It's an extremely oxidative process, and the wine does go brown. We stir the lees to encourage protein chains to form and fall out of solution via barrel fermentation and bâtonnage." The wines aren't filtered or fined, "so they of course run the risk of throwing tartrates," Nik continues. "But you get the seriousness in the wine that a lot of whites that play it safe don't have." Nik and Julia suggest decanting their whites. "That two ounces you lose from decanting off the tartrates is well worth the price of admission for the intensity you would remove without filtering."'

Flowers Sonoma Coast Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir 2019 exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of one of Sonoma Coast’s esteemed vineyards. Cultivated on the elevated Sea View Ridge, the grapes benefit from the region’s cool maritime climate and well-drained soils, fostering optimal ripeness and complexity. Hand-harvested with meticulous attention, the Pinot Noir undergoes a gentle fermentation process in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, preserving its delicate aromatics and vibrant acidity. Aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, this vintage develops layers of red berry fruits, subtle earthiness, and nuanced spice notes, culminating in a silky smooth finish. Produced by Flowers Winery, renowned for their dedication to sustainable viticulture and exceptional quality, the 2019 Sea View Ridge Pinot Noir showcases their unwavering commitment to excellence. Ideal for discerning palates, this wine pairs beautifully with a range of gourmet dishes, making it a distinguished addition to any fine wine collection.

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Experience the distinctive taste of Fortunate Son The Warrior 2019, exquisite wine crafted in the renowned vineyards of Sonoma County, California. This bold red blend exhibits a smooth, harmonious composition of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre grape varieties, matured splendidly in a balanced climate of cool nights and warm days.

Employing a traditional fermentation process in stainless steel vats with gentle pump-overs, the Warrior 2019 demonstrates the Fortunate Son winery's commitment to preserving the integrity and characteristics of each varietal. Aged in French oak barrels, this grand cuvée unveils intricate layers of blackberry, cassis and anise, underscored by notes of mocha and subtle earthiness.

Fortunate Son The Warrior 2019 encapsulates the unwavering dedication of its producers to quality and complexity. A testament of excellence, it seamlessly melds time-honoured techniques and modern innovation, making this full-bodied wine a precious addition to any well-curated collection.

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Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 exemplifies the winery's commitment to sustainable viticulture in Napa Valley's esteemed vineyards. Hand-harvested from estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this vintage undergoes meticulous fermentation in open-top fermenters, allowing for optimal extraction and preservation of the varietal's character. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, it develops a harmonious balance of rich dark fruit flavours, velvety tannins, and subtle notes of cedar and tobacco. The 2018 harvest benefited from a warm growing season, resulting in grapes of exceptional ripeness and complexity. Produced by the renowned Frog's Leap Winery, known for its organic practices and dedication to quality, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers a sophisticated palate with lingering elegance, making it a distinguished addition to any fine wine collection.

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