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2016 The Third Twin Graciano by Elaine and Manfred Krankl (SQN)

2016 The Third Twin Graciano by Elaine and Manfred Krankl (SQN)

98+ VM

Featured Review
The 2016 The Third Twin Graciano seems to be especially well-suited to Manfred and Elaine Krankl's Three Twins site. The 2016 is another fabulous edition. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice, menthol and spice flesh out in a sumptuous, beautifully textured wine that hits all the right notes. Dollops of Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah round out the blend. The 2016 is vibrant, explosive and flat-out stunning. Wow! Vinous Media

Vinous (Galloni) | 98+ VM

Critic Reviews

The 2016 The Third Twin Graciano seems to be especially well-suited to Manfred and Elaine Krankl's Three Twins site. The 2016 is another fabulous edition. Super-ripe black cherry, plum, chocolate, new leather, licorice, menthol and spice flesh out in a sumptuous, beautifully textured wine that hits all the right notes. Dollops of Mourvèdre and Petite Sirah round out the blend. The 2016 is vibrant, explosive and flat-out stunning. Wow!

Vinous Media | 98+ VM
This is the third edition of this single-vineyard wine, coming entirely from The Third Twin Vineyard in Los Alamos, further showcasing not only the potential of this amazing site but of this grape variety in the region. It is a blend of 89% Graciano, 6% Mourvedre and 5% Petit Sirah, employing 23% whole clusters. It was aged for 27 months in French oak, 36% new.

Very deep purple-black, the 2016 Graciano comes bounding out of the glass with baked blackberries, bold black cherries, preserved plums and violets notes backed up by nuances of chocolate-covered almonds and sautéed herbs, plus a waft of black olives. POW! The super-charged black and blue fruits explode in the mouth with full, rich, seductive layers and a seductively plush texture, finishing in an epically long flavor kaleidoscope. Only 68 cases were made.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RP
In the running for the best example of this variety in the world (how many are there?), the 2016 Graciano (which includes 6% Mourvèdre and 5% Petite Sirah) shows the potential of this variety in California and gives up a stunning bouquet of white flowers, Asian spices, cured meats, and assorted currant and darker berry fruits. This variety always has an inky color as well as good acidity, and both traits are certainly present. Full-bodied, concentrated, and beautifully balanced, with clean, pure fruit front and center, this is just another remarkable, beautiful wine from this team that readers should snatch up. Unfortunately, there are a tiny 68 cases (817 bottles) for the world.

Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JD

Wine Details for 2016 The Third Twin Graciano by Elaine and Manfred Krankl (SQN)

Type of Wine California Red : Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring.
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.

Country US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region California : With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented.

Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine.

Overview

Producer Sine Qua Non : Manfred Krankl may be just as quirky and artistic as the wines he creates at Sine Qua Non. From his unique blending of varietals, to the imaginative wine names that grace the unique and often sly, psychologically dark labels, Krankl’s unusual approach to winemaking is viewed as artisanal as well as unorthodox. However unpredictable he may be, the consistency of quality wine production has allowed Sine Qua Non to establish a very special niche in today’s wine world. One in which the famed Robert Parker stated that Manfred Krankl is, “One of the most creative and multidimensional winemakers on planet earth.”

Great praise has come frequently for Sine Qua Non since its inception, which Krankl states was coincidental. His wines have earned multiple 100- point ratings from Robert Parker; though, Krankl finds his new “insider-y” fame humorous. His comfort level with all the weirdness has taken on the afterglow of shrewd marketing tactics. Nothing seems usual about the operation here, where each vintage brings a slew of wines that may be structured entirely different from the previous year. Varietals change, as do the label artwork, but the quality remains consistent.

Krankl is non-conforming to traditional winemaking nor marketing and will not allow the market to dictate his approach. He was once consulted by a business man who encouraged him to use the same label on each vintage so consumers could identify his wines, to which Krankl replied, “hell no.” His ability to artistically design wines that truly express the varietals is unprecedented and though he has been mentioned along with other California Cult producers such as Screaming Eagle and Harlan, Sine Qua Non does not reside in Napa Valley.

The winery hails from Santa Barbara, Central Coast and deems itself a Rhone Ranger of California, as a majority of their wines are made from Syrah and Grenache. Krankl’s love of the Rhone varietals is evident in his bottlings and isn’t ashamed of his neglect of Cabernet Sauvignon which reigns king in California. He concedes that “Cabernet can be great, sure, but its’ not sexy. It makes me think of Masterpiece Theatre.” A staunch stance on a varietal that has brought California into the apex of winemaking. But then again, nothing about Krankl is ordinary, nor are the wines of Sine Qua Non.

Krankl has never had the desire to be the world’s greatest wine producers or to produce big wines laden with alcohol which are so prevalent in America. Nor has he had the ambition to be the largest, as his annual production is a mere 3,500 cases. His vision was to craft a wine that is not purely intellectual, that has sex appeal, juicy and full bodied, liveliness, agility and grace, but isn’t a fruit bomb, or overly alcoholic.

What is accomplished at Sine Qua Non is so incredible, so impressive, inventive and complex that it is difficult to describe the portfolio of wines, the varietals harvested and the intricate manner in which they are produced. Each bottle of Sine Qua Non is a piece of art and perhaps that is the subliminal message sent by Krankl himself who uses winemaking as his canvas. Much like a classical piece by impressionist, Claude Monet, Sine Qua Non must be witnessed personally to fully understand and appreciate.

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