2018 Next of Kyn Cumulus Vineyard Syrah
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Tasting notes
The 2018s at this estate are incredible and, if anything, remind me a little of the 2016s, where just about every wine was at the top of the scale. The 2018 No 12 Cumulus Vineyard is more Syrah-dominated, checking in as 47.7% Syrah, 23.4% Grenache, 21.3% Petite Sirah, 5.6% Mourvèdre, and the rest Petit Manseng, all of which saw 41% whole clusters and 32 months in just 34% new French oak. Darker berries, Italian leather, kirsch, sandalwood, and dried flower notes are just some of the aromatics here, and it's full-bodied, has a seamless, graceful, yet sexy mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. It's another one of those wines that has everything: complexity, purity, power, elegance, you name it. Bravo! Drink this incredible elixir over the coming 15-20 years.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
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Manfred Krankl notes that the 2018 Cumulus Vineyard No. 12 represents a shift away from earlier cuvées that were dominated by the Syrah grape. This iteration is composed of 47.7% Syrah, 23.4% Grenache, 21.3% Petite Sirah, 5.6% Mourvèdre and 2 % Petit Manseng. The 2018 also comes entirely from the Next of Kyn estate vineyard Cumulus. It was made using 41% whole clusters and matured around 32 months in 34% new French oak (the remaining barrels were one to three years old). Deep ruby-purple in color, it blossoms slowly to aromas of cassis, lilac, coffee beans, dried mint and bouquet garni. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet elegant, its concentrated fruits balanced by grainy tannins and fresh acidity that highlights its floral perfume on the long finish. It was bottled on May 6, 2021, and tasted on May 24, 2022. Around 380 cases and 222 magnums were made, sold as part of a four-bottle set with one bottle of 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.