2019 Sine Qua Non, SQN, Eleven Confessions Syrah, Sta. Rita Hills, Bottle (750ml)

LP100 "The 2019 Eleven Confessions Vineyard Syrah is deep garnet-black in color. A mushroom cloud of exotic spices and incense erupts from the glass, leading to a core of plum preserves and blueberry pie, plus suggestions of dark chocolate, black truffles, mossy tree bark, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate is densely packed yet remarkably fresh and bright, delivering a solid backbone of fine-grained tannins, finishing on a lingering ferrous note. I love the juxtaposition between power and vibrancy here! The blend is 82% Syrah, 13.1 % Grenache, and 3.3% Petite Sirah, with splashes of Viognier and Gelber Muskateller (a white grape - Muscat Blanc à Petit Grains), all coming from the Krankls' Eleven Confessions vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. 13% whole cluster was incorporated into the winemaking. It was aged for 39 months in French oak barrels, 66% new, and bottled in January 2023. 968 cases and 240 magnums were made." LPB for TWI Aug 2023

JD99 "A borderline perfect wine is the 2019 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard, and if there was a version of Guigal's Côte Rôtie La Mouline from California, this would be it. Red and black fruits, flowery incense, iron, cured meats, spice box, and background oak all define this sensational wine, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, ultra-fine mouthfeel, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's already just about impossible to resist yet will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve for 20-25 years. The blend is 82% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 3% Petite Sirah, and the rest Viognier and Gelber Muskateller, aged 39 months in two-thirds new French oak." JD Aug 2023

RP99 "The 2019 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is elegant and perfumed and includes 13.1% Grenache, 3.3% Petite Sirah and just a splash—0.8%—each of Viognier and Muskateller (a.k.a Muscat). It was crafted with 13% whole clusters, matured in 66% new French oak for around 39 months and was bottled in January 2022. This gorgeous Syrah opens over several days and never seems to diminish. It offers pure aromas of crème de cassis, tar, salami and ringing tones of violet. The full-bodied palate is incredibly velvety in texture, and despite its concentration and powerful style, it manages noticeable freshness and detail, with that magical violet perfume echoing across the long finish. This will develop gracefully in the cellar over the next two decades or more. 968 cases and 240 magnums were made." EB for WA Jun 2023

JD99 A borderline perfect wine is the 2019 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard, and if there was a version of Guigal's Côte Rôtie La Mouline from California, this would be it. Red and black fruits, flowery incense, iron, cured meats, spice box, and background oak all define this sensational wine, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, ultra-fine mouthfeel, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's already just about impossible to resist yet will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and evolve for 20-25 years. The blend is 82% Syrah, 13% Grenache, 3% Petite Sirah, and the rest Viognier and Gelber Muskateller, aged 39 months in two-thirds new French oak.Looking at the new vintages reviewed here, the 2021s come from a cooler, even, balanced year and actually share a similar profile with the 2019s. These are still classic Sine Qua Non releases, but there’s clearly a fresher, elegant vibe, and the wines are flawlessly balanced. In comparison, the 2020s come across as bigger, richer wines that have tons of sexy opulence and richness. I was able to taste the two longer élevage Eleven Confession Vineyard releases from 2019, and these are absolutely captivating wines I wish every reader could taste. As I said above, there are lots of similarities to the 2021s here, and the wines have a beautiful purity and elegance about them without sacrificing depth or richness.