Sine Qua Non Heart Chorea Syrah 2002

wa99

BN#269968

Sine Qua Non

The intense, distinctive wines of Elaine and Manfred Krankl are highly sought after for good reason: they are some of the very best wines being produced in the United States. And though the wines are already of the highest quality and sell out quickly each vintage, the Krankls continue to strive to make improvements. For those who have had the pleasure (and luck) to taste these wines over the years, one can notice even more refinement and harmony in each new release.

Wine Advocate

SQN’s Syrahs are dynamite. In 2001, Krankl began to experiment with a limited production Syrah aged over 40 months in new oak (a la Marcel Guigal’s famous Cote Roties - La Mouline, La Landonne, and La Turque). The second rendition of this cuvee, the 2002 Heart Chorea, is a Cote Rotie-like blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier. Most of the fruit comes from the Alban and White Hawk vineyards. The opaque purple-colored 2002 Heart Chorea possesses extraordinary levels of concentration, intensity, and subtle nuances, a fabulous nose of charcoal, acacia flowers, creme de cassis, blackberries, pain grille, and espresso roast. Opulent, full-bodied, and super-intense, but neither heavy nor out of balance, it is unfortunate that production of this unreal Syrah is less than 100 cases.

Score: 99. —Robert Parker, April 2006.