SINE QUA NON

2017 Estate Syrah, Eleven Confessions Vineyard | Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County California 750 ml

It's a "majesty" - a bit hyperbolic I guess, but let me tell you...it fits. It is Cary Grant on steroids. Still all class and suave manner, but with great strength and muscle under that starched white tuxedo shirt. It is a Cuvee of 88% Syrah, a little Grenache...namely 7.6%, some .3% Petite Sirah and 1.4% Viognier for lift and high tones... Very, very dark color, but not obscene. A sort of black burgundy color (does that even exist?). Quite open and giving, behaving almost like a bruising Grenache with its generous and welcoming demeanor. There are notes of a richly ripe, black and blue fruit compote, but also with some dried tobacco leaves and faint candied orange peel. The wine is large scaled and rather broad and lush as all get-out. THAT is the word - LUSH. In the mouth it his leathery smooth and I am talking "Corinthian Leather", not some folded satchel fake. There is gently stroking hands. It keeps coming your way and never holds back. The tannins are supremely rich and plentiful, but delightfully polished and elegant. A great partner with the Grenache. Easy to see the family resemblance. | Manfred Krankl for SQN Wines

The 2017 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is the wine of the vintage, and Syrah simply doesn't get any better. Even in these more difficult vintages, I'm always amazed at what this estate is able to achieve. Dense purple-hued, with an incredible bouquet of sandalwood, dried flowers, incense, saddle leather, and assorted red and blue fruits, it hits the palate with flawless balance, a deep, full-bodied, concentrated mouthfeel, and a heavenly finish. It shows a more up-front, exuberant, sexy style, yet there's still ample underlying structure and depth. Reminding me of Guigal's Cote Rotie La Mouline (maybe amped up just slightly)... | 100 points, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com