2020 Sine Qua Non, SQN, Cumulus Vineyard, Next of Kyn, Central Coast [1 No-14 & 1 Touriga Nacional], California, Case of 2 Magnum

LP100 "The 2020 Next of Kyn No14 is all from the Cumulus Vineyard (the Krankls' home vineyard in Oak View) and is composed of 41% Grenache, 27% Petite Sirah, 25% Syrah, 5.5% Mourvèdre and 1.5% Petit Manseng. It was made using 35% whole clusters and aged for around 30 months in French oak, 23% new. The color is a deep garnet-black. The nose is so so perfumed, delivering a scent concoction of raspberry coulis, kirsch, redcurrant preserves, and intense roses followed by subtle wafts of garrigue, black pepper, lavender, fallen leaves, and dusty soil. The full-bodied palate is rich yet with remarkable tension, delivering a spray of floral and exotic spice-laced red berry flavors. The texture is super-plush yet firm and the flamboyant finish goes on forever. It's impressive how the soft tannins of the Grenache and the firm tannins of the Petite Sirah fit together like puzzle pieces! The wine was bottled on 23 March 2023. 351 cases and 222 magnums were made." LPB for TWI Aug 2023

JD98+ "I'm always blown away by the quality Manfred can achieve with Touriga Nacional, and his 2020 Touriga Nacional Numero Seis is another incredible effort that I'd wager is one of the finest expressions of the variety ever made. Deep purple-hued, with a salty, bloody nose of black cherries, iron, chocolate, cassis, and ground pepper, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness and a stacked, concentrated, massive mouthfeel that carries good acidity as well as ripe tannins. Based on 84% Touriga Nacional, 7% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, and the rest Petit Manseng, all from the Cumulus Vineyard in Oakview, it spent 30 months in 39% new French oak. It's a dense, structured, powerful wine that will reward 4-5 years of bottle age." JD Aug 2023