2019 Sine Qua Non, SQN, Cumulus Vineyard, Next of Kyn No. 13, Central Coast, California, Magnum (1.5L)

LP100 "The opaque garnet-purple colored 2019 Next of Kyn Cumulus Vineyard no 13 is a blend of 29% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 24.5% Syrah, 8% Touriga Nacional, 7.5% Petite Sirah, and 2% Petit Manseng. It skips out with bright, cheery notes of preserved black and red cherries, raspberry pie, and clove oil, with an underlying perfume of candied violets, cinnamon toast, and dusty soil. The palate is as full-bodied as it is delicately knit, with vibrant, amazingly pure black and red berry layers and a very fine-grained, silty texture. It finishes sophisticated, fragrant, and with incredible length. Beguiling." LPB for TWI Sug 2022

RP99 "Still in barrel, the 2019 Cumulus Vineyard No. 13 also contains less Syrah than in the past—this iteration is composed of 29% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 24.5% Syrah, 8% Touriga Nacional, 7.5% Petite Sirah and 2% Petit Manseng. It was made using 22% whole clusters and matured for about 32 months in 62% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple in the glass, it has a core of blackberry jam and Morello cherries, unfolding slowly to nuances of violet and loamy earth. Full-bodied and concentrated, its super-fine tannins and juicy acidity balance the expression, and it has a tremendously long finish with loads of floral perfume. It's showing fantastically despite its recent bottling on May 11, 2022—I tasted it on May 24, 2022. 369 cases and 222 magnums will be released in the fall of 2022. It will be sold as part of a four-bottle set that will include one bottle of Next of Kyn Touriga Nacional." EB for TWA May 2022

JD99 "Another straight-up awesome wine is the 2019 No 13 Cumulus Vineyard, a blend 29% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, 24.5% Syrah, 8% Touriga Nacional, 7.5% Petite Sirah, and 2% Petit Manseng. Kirsch, toasted spices, new leather, graphite, and peppery notes all emerge from this ripe, sexy, seamless, and incredibly compelling red. Full-bodied and concentrated, it stays light on its feet, has beautiful tannins, and a great finish. If this doesn't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will. It's brilliant today yet should easily evolve for 15 years or more. (I expect it will evolve like a great Châteauneuf du Pape.)" JD Aug 2022