2012 Sine Qua Non The Writing On The Wall, 1.5ltr, 1-bottle Lot, Wood Case

Founded in 1994 by Manfred and Elaine Krankl in Ventura, on California's Central Coast, the winery is the epitome of an artisanal, cult winery. The husband-and-wife team makes mostly Rhone-style reds and whites in very limited quantities using such grapes as Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Roussanne, and Viognier. The couple pays meticulous attention to their winemaking and uses little or no fining or filtration. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Sine Qua Non "one of the world's most creative wineries" and one that "is turning out world-class wines of extraordinary complexity and individuality. The Krankl husband-and-wife team remains wholly dedicated to the pursuit of perfection." Sine Qua Non is also unusual in that the Krankls like to give wild, sometimes outlandish names to their wines, and they often change wine names with each vintage. They have christened their wines with such names as "The Hussy" and "In Flagrante," and the labels generally are as distinctive as the wines.

Despite its popularity, this grape is quite rare. Less than 10,000 acres are planted worldwide, with the bulk in California. In France, the grape is referred to as Durif. Not to be confused with Syrah, Petite Sirah is a cross of Syrah and Peloursin. The result is darker and fuller.

This limited edition, coffee-table book about Sine Qua Non and the magnum of 2012 Petite Sirah packaged with it is the latest maverick project from Manfred and Elaine Krankl, iconic founders of Sine Qua Non. SQN is of course the cult producer of some of the contemporary wine world's most collectible wines, which are admired and acquired not only because they are extraordinarily delicious to drink but because they come with irreverent names and off-beat labels. In April the Krankls released this collector's edition book and the Petite Sirah to their mailing list only. The book, called "The Art of Sine Qua Non," includes a history of SQN written by Manfred and a foreword by Elaine. It also contains images of many of the SQN labels, including every single rosé label, and images of labels that, according to the Krankls, were "rejected by the pleasure police," presumably governmental authorities. These non-conformist labels promise to be highly amusing. The book is a 250-page, cloth-bound, hardcover, 13-inch by 9.5-inch edition. The collector's edition on offer here is numbered and is one of only 350 produced. It is signed by Manfred and comes packaged in a bamboo box with the Petite Sirah, which is appropriately called "The Writing on the Wall." The wine is 94% Petite Sirah and 6% Viognier from estate vineyards. Only 356 magnums were produced.

94% Petite Sirah and 6% Viognier. Only 356 1.5L bottles produced.