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Grenache Raven 2006 75cl

Central Coast | California | United States of America
CHF 443.20

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2006
Critics scores
98 Robert Parker
The 2006 Raven Series Grenache (a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah with 25% whole clusters used) comes largely from the 11 Confessions Vineyard with a tiny dollop of Bien Nacido Syrah added to the blend. Having spent 21 months in barrel, it is a prodigious effort, but is not quite at the level of the brilliant Naked Truth. Meaty, bouquet garni, licorice, and pepper notes as well as loads of black cherry and blackberry fruit are present in this beauty. Silky tannins along with good structure, density, and firmness suggest another year or two of aging will be beneficial. It should evolve for 10-15+ years.
Producer
Sine Qua Non
Sine Qua Non is arguably the most “culty” producer of California. Extremely rare, their wines are micro-produced with sometimes only a few barrels made, not to mention they have a waiting list to even buy their wines. But perhaps more importantly, this domaine is owned by iconoclastic Austrian artist and restauranteur, Manfred Krakl. Krakl launched this domaine with his wife, Elaine in 1994 in Ventura, California, a town that lies an hour north of Los Angeles. Each wine has a story, a different name and its own and, needless to say, quirky label, each created by Manfred himself. Such unique cuvée names have included “Esto No Es una Salida” with an accompanying English version, “This Is Not an Exit” as well as “The Hoodoo Man”, “Poker Face" and “The Hussy”. He is known as a “Rhône Ranger”, meaning that he forms part of a group of Californian wine producers that have embraced Rhône varieties such as Syrah (his most famous varietal), Grenache, Roussanne and Viognier. His singular wines, most notably his reds, have ratings that are almost off the charts, and regularly receive scores of 98 points or over. These are incredible wines that are worthy trophies in any cellar…though they are much more pleasurable to drink!