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Tasting Notes

Tasting notes
Score 93/100 · Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2003

(14.9% alcohol; a blend of 88% syrah, 10% grenache and 2% viognier) Vivid, deep ruby-red. Knockout nose combines roasted cherry, gunflint, smoked meat and mint. Fat, sweet and lush, with compelling concentration and sweetness of fruit. As pliant and generous as this is, it's also vibrant and firm. Finishes extremely long and ripely tannic, with superb lingering sweetness. A great California syrah, with very subtle oakiness for a red from this producer.

Critic Scores

Critic scores
95
95/100

Average Score

96
96/100

Robert Parker

93
93/100

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

More reviews and scores

96 points
Robert Parker
Score 96/100 · Robert Parker

The 2000 In Flagrante (a 725-case blend of 86% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 4% Viognier) is a world-class, provocative effort. It reveals many of the same aromatic and flavor components found in the 2001 Midnight Oil and 2002 Syrah-dominated, unnamed offering. A black color is followed by a seamless effort loaded with blackberry, honey, and flower aromas, and an extraordinarily long, concentrated finish. As with all great wines, tasting notes/descriptors just can’t do it justice. Among the recent SQN Syrahs, it is a strikingly elegant and powerful wine that has a decidedly French flair to it. Aug 2003, www.robertparker.com

About the producer

Sine Qua Non
Sine Qua Non

The brainchild of Manfred Krankl, Sine Qua Non (commonly known as SQN) is a cult California producer whose wines are avidly collected. The winery focuses on Rhône-inspired blends, however is famously non-conformist with each release totally unique.

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