2020 Next of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) Red Blend No. 14 Cumulus Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Lastly, and a perfect wine if there ever was one, the 2020 No 14 Cumulus Vineyard comes all from the estate Cumulus Vineyard in Oak View and is based on 41% Grenache, 27% Petite Sirah, 25% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre and a tiny amount of Petit Manseng. Aged 30 months in just 23% new French oak, it just about jumps out of the glass with its ripe blackberries, spice, leather, sandalwood, and peppery, savory herb-driven aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness and depth, building, velvety tannin, a stacked mid-palate, and awesome length on the finish, it's a wine I wish I could pour for every reader, it's that singular and impressive. I love it today yet see no reason it shouldn’t evolve gracefully for two decades.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
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I tasted the 2020 Cumulus Vineyard No. 14 on July 6, not long after it was bottled on March 23. It is a blend of 41% Grenache, 27% Petite Sirah, 25% Syrah, 5.5% Mourvèdre and 1.5% Petit Manseng, vinified using 35% whole clusters and matured around 30 months in 23% new French oak. The Cumulus Vineyard cuvée is changing each year—Manfred Krankl notes increasing use of concrete, and about half of this vintage was matured in concrete vessels. The blend is also relying less on Syrah, and this cuvée is more representative of the plantings in the vineyard. Its aromas are youthfully spicy, with vanilla bean and cocoa powder over a core of cherry pie, unfurling to notes of tar, blueberry compote, damp earth and lavender as it spends time in the glass. The full-bodied palate is silky, seamless, juicy and light on its feet with coiled fruit and a long, graphite-driven finish. This has plenty of unfolding to do! The equivalent of 351 cases and 222 magnums will be released in the fall of 2023. The Cumulus Vineyard will be sold as part of a four-bottle set (including one bottle of Touriga Nacional) for $1,120; magnums will be sold in separate boxes with the Touriga Nacional.
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.