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Sine Qua Non

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.

2003 Sine Qua Non The Inaugural Eleven Confessions Grenache

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  99   
ST  96   

2017 Sine Qua Non The Hated Hunter Syrah

1.5ltr

JD  98-100   
WA  97-100   
CT  95.8   
VN  95-97   

2000 Sine Qua Non The Boot

1.5ltr

Capsule condition issue; heavy label condition issue

ST  92   

2012 Sine Qua Non Rattrapante Grenache & Touché Syrah

2-bottle Horizontal, Wood Case, 1.5ltr

2003 Sine Qua Non Papa Syrah

Capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  98   
ST  93+    

2003 Sine Qua Non Papa Syrah

RP  98   
ST  93+    

2003 Sine Qua Non Papa Syrah

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  98   
ST  93+    

2005 Sine Qua Non Over and Out Pinot Noir

RP  94   
WS  94   
VN  92   

2004 Sine Qua Non Ode to E Syrah

Capsule condition issue; exposed cork

WA  99   
VN  96   

2004 Sine Qua Non Ode to E Syrah

Light label condition issue

WA  99   
VN  96   

2002 Sine Qua Non More Than Just A Number

RP  96+    

2002 Sine Qua Non Just For The Love Of It Syrah

Light capsule condition issue

RP  100   
ST  94+    

2002 Sine Qua Non Just For The Love Of It Syrah

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
ST  94+    

2002 Sine Qua Non Just For The Love Of It Syrah

Label condition issue

RP  100   
ST  94+    

2018 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Vineyard Grenache

1.5ltr

JD  100   
WA  99   
CT  97.5   
VN  97+    

2016 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Subir Syrah and Pajarito del Amor Grenache

6-bottle Horizontal, Wood Case

Light case condition issue

2011 Sine Qua Non Dark Blossom Syrah

1.5ltr

Signs of past seepage

WA  99   
VN  96   
CT  95   

2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Fe2O3 Syrah

Capsule condition issue

RP  100   
VN  94   
WS  92   

2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Fe2O3 Syrah

Capsule condition issue

RP  100   
VN  94   
WS  92   

2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Fe2O3 Syrah

Light label condition issue

RP  100   
VN  94   
WS  92   

2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Fe2O3 Syrah

Capsule condition issue; label condition issue; exposed cork

RP  100   
VN  94   
WS  92   

2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Fe2O3 Syrah

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue

RP  100   
VN  94   
WS  92   

2005 Sine Qua Non Atlantis Fe2O3 Syrah

Capsule condition issue; light label condition issue; exposed cork

RP  100   
VN  94   
WS  92   

2006 Sine Qua Non A Shot In The Dark Syrah

RP  100   
WS  98   
VN  96   
JR  17.5   

2005 Sine Qua Non 17th Nail in my Cranium Syrah

RP  100   
WS  98   
VN  97