2009 Sine Qua Non On The Lam
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
48% Roussanne, 35% Chardonnay, 17% Viognier from Eleven Confessions and Bien Nacidovineyards. Deepish gold. Rich notes of oak and oiliness and spice. Scented and fragrant with lemon oil. Barely honeyed on the nose, a touch more so on the palate. Powerful, intense, oaky, spiced and rich but not heavy or aggressive. Hot on the finish but it really doesn't seem to matter too much (though this was the first wine and the alcohol gradually crept up on me). Incredibly fragrant and long. Very viscous. Just enough acidity and would be better had it not warmed up during the intro to the tasting. (JH)
Critic scores
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
(48% roussanne, 34% chardonnay and 18% viognier): Vivid gold. Intense, floral-accented scents of orange zest, pit fruit and candied ginger. Powerful and broad but surprisingly energetic, offering sappy, palate-staining citrus marmalade and peach flavors lifted by tangy acidity. A suave honey note comes up with air and carries through the long, spicy finish.
The 2009 On the Lam is a blend of 48% Roussanne, 34% Chardonnay and 18% Viognier from the Eleven Confessions and Bien Nacido vineyards. Tangerine peel, white peaches, mango, lychee and passion fruit are some of the nuances that emerge from this beautifully layered white. Weekly lees stirring gives the wine much of its depth. This Grenache based blend includes 11% Syrah and 5 % Mourvèdre. The vineyard sources are 78% Eleven Confessions, 22% Cumulus and 6% Bien Nacido.
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.