Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions – 3 x Syrah M EBA + 3 x Grenache E EBA 2015 6x75cl

You don’t have to be a fan of Bukowski to love the wines of Sine Qua Non, but I like to think of this literary reference as a little window into the soul of the winery. There is unquestionable skill, craftsmanship, genius and, yes, artistry about everything produced here. Yet, there is also something very primal, raw, immediately gratifying and hedonic at the core of each and every wine. And so, Sine Qua Non fans will not be disappointed by these latest releases.

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Grenache E slides beguilingly out of the glass with a powerfully evocative, earthy/meaty nose of wood smoke, grilled meats, fragrant soil, truffles and iron ore with a core of kirsch, blackberry pie, Black Forest cake and aniseed plus touches of wild sage, rose hip tea and Indian spices. The palate is full-bodied, surprisingly muscular and built like a brick house with an unbelievable structure of very fine, densely pixilated tannins supporting the generous, multi-faceted layers, finishing with epic length, jaw-dropping texture and tons of cerebral mineral and spice nuances. WOW! 900 cases, 228 magnums and 30 double magnums were made. 100RP

Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Syrah M starts off a little closed, slowly unfurling to show layer upon layer of savory notes: peppered salami, woodsmoke, marmite and black olives, beneath a profound core of preserved plums, blueberry coulis and Chinese five spice with fragrant touches of fenugreek, Sichuan pepper, crushed rocks and mossy bark. Exquisitely textured with firm, rounded tannins, the taut, full-bodied, muscular fruit is laced with seamless freshness, finishing with fantastic persistence. This is a Syrah for the long haul! 913 cases, 228 magnums and 30 double magnums were made. 99RP