Norman Gennaro

9.4

Could have used more air. Got better over time. — 2 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Dense dark crimson, almost black in colour - opaque. Lots to unfurl on the nose with initial aromas of Tar, Black pepper, plum, black and blue fruits, dark chocolate and a herbal nuance. Densely packed and full bodied. Obviously the product of old vines. The vineyard was planted over a hundred years ago in 1920. One of those unique wines that has the ability to be full bodied and elegant at the same time. Never heavy, you could drink this all night. Still has latent energy at 16 years of age. An aristocratic Shiraz in company with the world’s finest. Jay Miller had an erudite comment when he said that the only competition for this wine comes from the likes of Guigal, Chapoutier, Chave, Krankl, and Ringland. I would be patriotic in addition to Chris Ringland, and include Peter Gago and Fraser McKinlay. Roman Bratasiuk is the winemaker of Astralis- which is made from a 4 hectare paddock in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. — 3 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.7

2003 Sine Qua Non "Omega-Shea Vineyard" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. 15.5% alcohol. “The Last But Certainly Not The Least.” Y’all know my passion for all things Krankl, but I have a particular soft spot for the SQN Pinots. Maybe it’s because they are no more. But the coolest thing is that they’re not just a fond memory. They’re still making me smile every time I pull the cork. Tonight’s selection continues that trend. In the stem, not a hint of its age. Closer inspection reveals just a touch of amber on the edges. Otherwise crystal clear and light crimson. On the nose, an amazing potpourri. A Black fruit medley. Blackberries, black cherries, black cap raspberries. Chocolate/espresso notes with a hint of woody spices and forest floor. Just a whisper of rosemary. More than ample fruit on the palate with a pleasing nutmeg/dark chocolate chord along with hints of cedar and sandalwood. Sweet and somewhat syrupy but in a good way. Cherry liqueur comes to mind. Voluptuous really. Silky and elegant with a much longer than anticipated finish. Big and powerful, yet balanced and seamless. If you ever get the opportunity to try one of these SQN Pinots, don’t be put off by their age or reviewer scores. They’re unique with that magic Manfred touch. They were perhaps ahead of their time when compared with the big, full-bodied Pinots out there today. In my opinion they are terrific and all still singing! — 6 years ago

Tom Garland

9.4

+1 hour decant(decent fine/cloudy sediment). A striking dark magenta color. On the nose: sweet black fruit, earthy mushroom, leather, bacon, floral. Taste: deep, dark, rich, and silky as you would expect from a Manfred Krankl wine with blackberry, dark chocolate, bacon fat, earth, and a long peppery coffee ground finish. YUM! — 3 months ago

with Brenda

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

It remains a thrill to taste these wines from Krankl. Very sirah dominant with Some viognier to soften the wine. Fruit fwd, spicey, peppery. Wood fully integrated, lovely to drink now but can age another ten years easy. — 5 years ago

James Forsyth

9.7

The Chimère from Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non fame, and the Maurel brothers of Clos Saint Jean, is, appropriately, a beast. Cherry, blackcurrant, Christmas spice, violets and chocolate. Many elements combine to make a compelling wine that deserves attention over time. Indeed, when this bottle was initially opened, the prevailing thought at the table was that it would last months. A small tipple to check in, some time later, was tasted with our own resident chimera (well at least she sort of has the head of Lion element down) present. — 6 years ago

Roman Sukley

9.8

2008 Next of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Cumulus Vineyard No. 2" Central Coast Syrah. Pictured next to the inaugural vintage box, and documenting my disturbing inability to remove the cork in one piece, let’s begin with a quote from Manfred regarding the genesis of the brand: “The name is in reference to the fact that it is the next closest relative to SINE QUA NON, yet it is separate and different, and with its own personality, character and style. Implied is also a dose of hopefulness, of wishful thinking, that one of our five kids will someday take it over as his or her own.” (Unless my reverse adoption petition is granted, fingers crossed). The wines all emanate from Cumulus Vineyard, the Krankls’ first true estate vineyard. Most of the Syrah is planted on own-rooted, head-trained vines. The first three vintages were essentially Syrah-based, with some Grenache and Roussanne, all done with fully destemmed fruit. The wine spends around 30 months in French oak, with around 50% new oak. This particular vintage, which might very well be my favorite, is absolutely firing on all cylinders right now on its 10th Anniversary. So good in fact, that I will be looking to pick up a few more asap. 4 hour decant. Midnight black in the stem. Darker even than the 17th Nail from a week ago. Gorgeous bouquet of freshly baked, smokey blueberry pie cooling on the windowsill next to a vase of violets and lavender. Pleasing palate of sweet black cherry compote, licorice and Asian spices with just a hint of bacon fat. Lengthy, spicy finish. Beautiful structure. Lush and concentrated. I may need to add this to my guilty pleasures list as I don’t believe this was a critical standout. At least not by Manfred Krankl standards. Maybe the experts need to revisit?


— 6 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.7

More alive than ever. Beautifull white from Krankl — 2 years ago

Fraser McKinley

10

This was stunning today; Elixir-esq concentration sporting deep bass notes, a plethora of vital high tones, some carbon, a little graphite and impeccable purity. It would have likely tasted delicious anywhere but to share it with the Krankl family and perfect gentleman turned SQN chevalier @Roman Sukley was an honour and a privilege. It was part of a diamond day and the summit of a 17 year pilgrimage that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Thank you kindly Roman, Manfred, Elaine & August - 2014 — 5 years ago

Roman Sukley

10

2004 Sine Qua Non "Ode to E" Central Coast Grenache.
Gearing up for a major snowstorm here in Chicago. A great reason to pull the cork on greatness. On one of the best Grenache wines I’ve ever tasted. Heck, maybe THE best. If not first in it’s class, it definitely doesn’t take long to call the roll. Certainly one of my favorite wines, period. I love everything about it including the label: “A Love Forever In Bloom, Face With Tracks Of Life’s Attacks, Tattooed Scars Of History, Weathered Crust, Full Of Lust For That Rose Of Love For E.” The wine? The nose is a dreamy aromatic symphony of roses and raspberry compote. Also incense, pepper, graphite and a touch of smokey something off in the background somewhere. Beautiful. The palate is blast of sweet dark berry liqueur with that pepper and Asian spice creeping in on the backside. So lush. So complex. The finish? Intense, rather spicy and never ending. Never ending! As with all things Krankl, mind boggling balance between depth, complexity, raw power and utter weightless elegance. Simply put: Perfect. However you choose to define it. I think my favorite definition of perfection is from Coach Gary Gaines: “Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didnt let them down because you told them the truth. And that truth is you did everything you could. There wasnt one more thing you could've done.” Well Manfred can certainly look us all in the eye on this one! — 6 years ago