2016 Next of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) Red Blend No. 10 Cumulus Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Next of Kyn is a rich, heady wine. Implosive and deep, the 2016 comes across as a wine that is still finding its balance in bottle. Time in the glass brings out swaths of dark fruit, grilled herbs, espresso and licorice. Readers need to be patient with the 2016, as it is going through an awkward stage today. (AG) 95+
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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Next of Kyn is the label of Elaine and Manfred Krankl (owners/creators of Sine Qua Non), based on fruit from their home vineyard in Oakville, called Cumulus vineyard. This 2016 vintage is composed of 46% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 18.3% Petite Sirah, 15.3% Mourvèdre and 1.4% Petit Manseng, using 23% whole clusters. It spent around 34 months in French oak barrels, 75% new. "The composition of this wine is coming now much closer to the original vision for this vintage and subsequently this wine," commented Manfred Krankl. The opaque purple-black colored 2016 Cumulus Vineyard No. 10 is a breathtaking WOW wine, from start to finish. It strides confidently out of the glass with bold, profound scents of preserved plums, blackberry coulis, blueberry pie and dried lavender, giving way to notes of espresso, spice cake, crushed stones, black truffles and beef drippings, plus a lifted waft of kirsch intertwined with red roses. The full-bodied palate is built like a skyscraper, featuring a solid line of firm, perfectly ripe, densely pixelated tannins and seamless freshness, taking all those complex dark fruit, earth and floral layers to a very long finish. Quite frankly, this is a monumental achievement for the Krankls—a formidable culmination creation that is simply without peers 4,932 bottles (just over 400 dozen) were made. This wine is packaged and sold in boxes containing three bottles and one magnum, and it is only sold via mailing list. This year—2016—one of the bottles is a Touriga Nacional. The release price per box is $1,270.
Just about pure perfection in a glass, the 2016 No 10 Cumulus Vineyard is an incredible mix of 46% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 18.3% Petite Sirah, and the rest Mourvèdre and Petit Manseng that was mostly destemmed and brought up in 75% new French oak. Awesome notes of blackberries, ground herbs, violets, loamy earth, and chocolate notes give way to a full-bodied, powerful red that has moderate acidity, flawless balance, sweet tannins, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s another off-the-charts, singular wine from an incredible winemaker.
About the producer
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.