Sine Qua Non
About Sine Qua Non
There really is no winery quite like Sine Qua Non (means “something essential”). Manfred and Elaine Krankl followed in that noblest of Californian winery traditions in 1994, building one of the world's greatest estates from the ground up in Ventura County (Central Coast AVA). Founded from passion for the land and a relentless desire to produce simply the best wines that they could, Antonio Galloni (Vinous) declared that "the sheer drive for perfection and attention to detail at Sine Qua Non is something I have rarely witnessed anywhere else in the world".
Today, Sine Qua Non is probably the quintessential tiny production, cult winemaker, producing just 4,000 cases a year across a number of wines made from different vineyards. The huge global demand is based on the critical acclaim for almost the winery produces. It takes years to get onto the mailing list, and the wines almost never come back onto the market once purchased. Older vintages are occasionally sold at auction for stratospheric prices.
Sine Qua Nons' Wines
Manfred Krankl (an Austrian immigrant in California) and his wines break all the rules. There is no standard label, every wine is named differently (every year). There is no marketing. The wines are sold via mailing list and have grown via word of mouth (and critical acclaim). Even the grapes are different – predominantly Rhône Valley varietals like Syrah and Grenache.
| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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California | 2 | - |
Inc. GST
SG$5,599.01 |
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California | 1 | - |
Inc. GST
SG$4,030.35 |
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California | 1 | 97-100 (WA) |
Inc. GST
SG$7,222.26 |
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Wine Advocate (97-100)Made exclusively from estate-grown fruit, the 2017 Syrah is composed of 82.4% Syrah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 7.8% Petite Sirah, 2% Grenache, 1.2% Petit Manseng and 1.4% Viognier that was fermented with 26% whole cluster. The vineyard sources are 32% Eleven Confessions, 41% The Third Twin, 25% Cumulus and 2% Molly Aida. It is to be aged for around 23 months in French oak, 59% new. Deep garnet-purple, this nascent Syrah-dominant blend pings exuberantly out of the glass with a veritable POP—offering expressive notes of chocolate-covered cherries, blueberry compote, licorice, violets, black licorice, spice cake and tilled earth with hints of wild sage and tar. Full-bodied, super concentrated and wonderfully savory in the mouth, it features firm, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. |
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California | 1 | 99 (JD) |
Inc. GST
SG$4,689.69 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)The 2017 Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Gemelo sports a ruby/purple color (though not completely opaque), followed by a gorgeous nose of bright cherry, white pepper, black raspberry, white chocolate, and herbes de Provence. With generous notes of smoked meats and game as well as a kiss of iron and iodine, this full-bodied red is just thrilling on the palate, with fine tannins as well as good spine of acidity. It’s just a stunning wine – wow. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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California | 2 | - |
In Bond
SG$5,095.00 |
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California | 1 | - |
In Bond
SG$3,635.00 |
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California | 1 | 97-100 (WA) |
In Bond
SG$6,500.00 |
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Wine Advocate (97-100)Made exclusively from estate-grown fruit, the 2017 Syrah is composed of 82.4% Syrah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 7.8% Petite Sirah, 2% Grenache, 1.2% Petit Manseng and 1.4% Viognier that was fermented with 26% whole cluster. The vineyard sources are 32% Eleven Confessions, 41% The Third Twin, 25% Cumulus and 2% Molly Aida. It is to be aged for around 23 months in French oak, 59% new. Deep garnet-purple, this nascent Syrah-dominant blend pings exuberantly out of the glass with a veritable POP—offering expressive notes of chocolate-covered cherries, blueberry compote, licorice, violets, black licorice, spice cake and tilled earth with hints of wild sage and tar. Full-bodied, super concentrated and wonderfully savory in the mouth, it features firm, rounded tannins and just enough freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. |
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|
California | 1 | 99 (JD) |
In Bond
SG$4,250.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)The 2017 Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Gemelo sports a ruby/purple color (though not completely opaque), followed by a gorgeous nose of bright cherry, white pepper, black raspberry, white chocolate, and herbes de Provence. With generous notes of smoked meats and game as well as a kiss of iron and iodine, this full-bodied red is just thrilling on the palate, with fine tannins as well as good spine of acidity. It’s just a stunning wine – wow. |
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