Sine Qua Non Pajarito del Amor Eleven Confession 2016 (75cl, 16.9%)

Sine Qua Non Pajarito del Amor Eleven Confession 2016 is a Grenache-dominant red blend from Santa Rita Hills, California. Sine Qua Non was founded by Manfred Krankl in Ventura, California. The wine comes from the estate's 33-acre Eleven Confessions Vineyard and blends 85.4% Grenache, 7.1% Petite Sirah, 6.9% Syrah and 0.6% Viognier. It underwent 56% whole cluster fermentation and aged for 38 months in 54% new French oak demi-muids, with the rest in used barrels from two to six years old. Only 916 cases were produced. The nose shows candied violets, mandarin peel, cassis, blackberry, toasted spices and graphite. The palate is ethereal yet medium-to-full-bodied, with redcurrants, Morello cherries, raspberries, espresso, mocha and caramelized meat. The finish is long, with silt-like tannins, white pepper, rose petal and dark berry.