Sine Qua Non

Covert Fingers Pinot Noir

9.417 ratings
9.24 pro ratings
Sta. Rita Hills, Central Coast, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Gilbert Van Hassel

My rating has nothing to do with the quality of the wine which is very good. But a 15 year old Pinot Noir at 15 pct alcohol that tastes like sirah for me is not a PN. There is no elegance, no depth, no sophistication it is a pure fruit bomb with no evolution and of course it is very rare and very expensive. I feel cheated.

My rating has nothing to do with the quality of the wine which is very good. But a 15 year old Pinot Noir at 15 pct alcohol that tastes like sirah for me is not a PN. There is no elegance, no depth, no sophistication it is a pure fruit bomb with no evolution and of course it is very rare and very expensive. I feel cheated.

Aug 22nd, 2019
Bill Bender

More Petite Sirah than Pinot in style and taste profile but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Grainy tannins, black olive, smoke infused red fruits. Not at the mountain top where his Syrah and Grenache are perched but still very compelling and enjoyable to those who toss aside their pre-conceptions of what PN “should” taste like.

More Petite Sirah than Pinot in style and taste profile but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Grainy tannins, black olive, smoke infused red fruits. Not at the mountain top where his Syrah and Grenache are perched but still very compelling and enjoyable to those who toss aside their pre-conceptions of what PN “should” taste like.

Jul 7th, 2018
William Lauder

Still drinking well. Really special SQN Pinot Noir.

Still drinking well. Really special SQN Pinot Noir.

May 12th, 2022
John Van Trijp

SQN Night!

SQN Night!

Feb 8th, 2020
Steve Anderson

“The Return of Mike Grammer” Dinner on 7/5. - Agree with @Michael Meyer that this did not show as Pinot. I probably would have guessed Syrah blind. It just did not fit with the other Pinots and would be best served on its own. Did just that with the remnants on night two. Served with leftover tenderloin, this was rockin’ so much that I didn’t give a d@mn about the variety. Score for Day 2.

“The Return of Mike Grammer” Dinner on 7/5. - Agree with @Michael Meyer that this did not show as Pinot. I probably would have guessed Syrah blind. It just did not fit with the other Pinots and would be best served on its own. Did just that with the remnants on night two. Served with leftover tenderloin, this was rockin’ so much that I didn’t give a d@mn about the variety. Score for Day 2.

Jul 9th, 2018
Michael Meyer

Really? This is Pinot?

Really? This is Pinot?

Jul 6th, 2018
Roman Sukley

2004 Sine Qua Non Covert Fingers Pinot Noir. 14.9% alcohol from the Santa Rita Hills Vineyard. Beautiful, youthful garnet hues with a seductive bouquet of dark fruits and freshly cut flowers on the nose. On the palate, sweet, ripe cherries predominate with notes of cinnamon and candied orange rind nicely balanced against a yeasty, freshly baked bread-like savoriness that blows me away. Texture in Spades. Wonderful acidity. Complex and perfectly balanced. My brother-in-law Joe said it best when he described the wine as ethereal. Wine of the weekend for me which is saying something since the weekend just started. Hate to sound like a broken record, but Manfred Krankl. Nuff said!

2004 Sine Qua Non Covert Fingers Pinot Noir. 14.9% alcohol from the Santa Rita Hills Vineyard. Beautiful, youthful garnet hues with a seductive bouquet of dark fruits and freshly cut flowers on the nose. On the palate, sweet, ripe cherries predominate with notes of cinnamon and candied orange rind nicely balanced against a yeasty, freshly baked bread-like savoriness that blows me away. Texture in Spades. Wonderful acidity. Complex and perfectly balanced. My brother-in-law Joe said it best when he described the wine as ethereal. Wine of the weekend for me which is saying something since the weekend just started. Hate to sound like a broken record, but Manfred Krankl. Nuff said!

Nov 24th, 2017
Cody Short

Man I miss Manfred's Pinots!

Man I miss Manfred's Pinots!

Aug 3rd, 2017
Carol Kellett

So delicious! Flawless wine.

So delicious! Flawless wine.

Oct 23rd, 2016
William Lauder

STUNNING Pinot Noir. Hints of cherry and forest floor

STUNNING Pinot Noir. Hints of cherry and forest floor

Jul 26th, 2016