Sine Qua Non Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard 2017

Sine Qua Non’s 2017 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard is a commanding yet remarkably refined expression of Grenache from one of California’s most coveted cult producers. Sourced exclusively from the estate Eleven Confessions Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, this wine marries Rhône-inspired power with the precision and cool-climate poise of coastal California. Produced in minuscule quantities and aged for over three years in French oak, it’s a bottling that serious collectors and Grenache enthusiasts seek out year after year.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2017 Eleven Confessions Grenache shows a medium to deep garnet-purple hue, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The initial aromatics open slowly, revealing layer after layer: stewed plums, blackberry compote and chocolate-dipped cherries, followed by lifted notes of licorice, violets, cinnamon stick and a touch of baking spice. As it breathes, the nose becomes increasingly perfumed and complex, with spice and floral tones weaving through the rich dark fruit. On the palate, this is a full-bodied and intensely flavored wine that still manages to feel poised rather than heavy. The core is packed with ripe black and blue fruits, accented by exotic spice, dark cocoa, and a subtle floral lift from the Viognier component. Fine-grained, firm tannins frame the fruit, giving the wine plenty of structure and presence without rough edges. The finish is impressively long and deep, echoing notes of black fruit, licorice, and sweet spice. While already seductive, this wine is built for the long haul: it will reward a further 3–5 years of cellaring and should continue to evolve gracefully for 20 years or more from vintage.

Production
Eleven Confessions is Sine Qua Non’s own estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, one of the coolest AVAs in California, typically planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here, on predominantly heavy clay soils, Manfred and Elaine Krankl push Grenache and other Rhône varieties to full ripeness by embracing exceptionally low yields—often around 1.5 tons per hectare or even less—and very long hang times, with harvest sometimes stretching into November. The 2017 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard is a blend of 88.7% Grenache, 10.6% Syrah and 0.7% Viognier. About 47% whole clusters were used in fermentation, adding extra structure, aromatic lift, and complexity. The wine then matured for an extended 38 months in French oak, 62% of which was new (with 83% of the new oak in large demi-muids), and the remaining 38% in seasoned barrels of various ages and sizes, allowing the wine to integrate and develop its layered, textural character before release.

Food & Serving
This is a rich, structured Grenache that shines alongside equally flavorful and textural dishes. Think slow-braised lamb shanks, herb-crusted roast lamb, beef short ribs, venison, or deeply flavored dishes with Mediterranean accents such as grilled lamb with rosemary, black olive tapenade, or smoked paprika. It can also work beautifully with aged hard cheeses and dishes featuring roasted root vegetables and wild mushrooms. Serve at around 16–18°C (60–64°F) to emphasize freshness and aromatic complexity rather than sheer power. Decanting is highly recommended—at least 1–2 hours for current drinking—to allow the wine to open and reveal its full spectrum of fruit, floral and spice notes.

Producer
Sine Qua Non, founded by Manfred and Elaine Krankl in the early 1990s, is one of California’s most original and influential producers of Rhône-inspired wines. Based on the Central Coast and working with both estate and carefully chosen vineyard sites, the Krankls pioneered a highly distinctive style that combines low yields, meticulous farming, and imaginative winemaking, resulting in wines that are both opulent and extraordinarily detailed. Over the years, Sine Qua Non has become a true cult estate, with many of its tiny-production bottlings commanding global attention and consistently high critical praise. The Eleven Confessions Vineyard is a cornerstone of the estate—a cool-climate site that delivers wines of remarkable structure, perfume and longevity, and stands as a benchmark for what Grenache can achieve in coastal California.

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