2009 Sine Qua Non Grenache Esto No Es Una Salida This Is Not An Exit
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Tasting notes
(includes 15% syrah, 3% viognier and 3% roussanne; 15.5% alcohol): Vivid ruby. Intense cherry and boysenberry aromas are complicated by notes of cola, violet, candied licorice and smoky spices, plus a hint of vanilla. Packed with dense, alluringly sweet dark berry compote and floral pastille flavors that are energized by zesty minerality and a jolt of white pepper. For its sheer mass this is almost shockingly elegant. Finishes with smooth tannins and excellent, spicy persistence, leaving a juicy dark berry note behind.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
More open, upfront and sexy, the 2009 Grenache This is Not an Exit is comprised of 79% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 3% Viognier and 3% Roussanne that spent 31 months in roughly 35% new French oak. Showing overflowing richness, with notions of incense, spice cake, potpourri and creamy raspberry fruit, it is a full-bodied, voluptuous and decadent Grenache geared for drinking over the coming decade or so. Drink now-2023. About as good as it gets across the board, these singular, incredible wines are the result of an obsessive attention to detail at all stages of the wine making process. There is no secret or hidden magic going on here. The incredibly talented and down-to-earth Manfred Krankl simply walks the walk as opposed to only talking about attention to detail or offering up the standard, wine is made in the vineyard comments. Looking at the vintages focused on here, 2009 has produced a decadent, voluptuous style that offers up thrilling levels of fruit as well as an approachable, heady richness that-s hard to resist. While they possess ample depth and structure, I would drink these before either the 2010s or 2011s. The 2010s here are stunning and have everything; gorgeous fruit, awesome concentration and incredible purity. While the most age-worthy of the recent vintages, they're a spectacular drink even today. The 2011s, which were all tasted out of barrel, have additional freshness and focus over the 2010s. They have solid concentration and overall balanced profiles that should allow them to cruise in the cellar. Tel. (805) 649-8901; www.sinequanon.com
Next to the 2010 and 2011 reds, the 2009 Grenache This is Not an Exit comes across as a bit heavy. Black cherries, plums, tar, mocha, new leather, licorice and menthol saturate the palate in an intensely overt, full-throttle Grenache. Today, the 2009 is not as expressive as it has been in the past. It may be that the 34% whole clusters still aren't fully assimilated. I have seen the Sine Qua Non Grenaches develop beautifully with time in bottle but today, the 2009 isn't ready to show all of its cards.
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.