The 2014 Grenache Testa dei Cherubini saw fully 37.5 months in wood, some 25% new, but its influence is imperceptible; the wine is strikingly pure and vibrant. Krankl commented that the longer the wines spend in barrel, the more slowly they seem to evolve in bottle. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of juicy red cherries, peonies and plums, it’s initially quite reserved, becoming more expressive with air. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, layered and very concentrated, with strikingly fine-grained, revolved tannins, juicy acids and impressive length and depth. Like the 2015 Le Chemin Vers l’Hérésie also reviewed in this report, it’s remarkably pure and integrated and ranks as one of the finest Grenache bottlings I’ve tasted from Sine Qua Non. It’s also one wine that will clearly benefit from bottle age, no matter how tempting it may be when it’s released in November of this year. The blend includes 15.5% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah and a tiny 0.5% of Viognier, and 895 cases, 228 magnums and 30 double magnums were produced.  Robert Parker. Wine Advocate. 98+/100.

VIN : SINE QUA NON TESTA DEI CHERUBINI 2014
PAYS : ÉTATS-UNIS   CALIFORNIE
RÉGION ET SOUS-RÉGION : SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
APPELLATION : CENTRAL COAST
CÉPAGES : 80% GRENACHE, 15,5% SYRAH, 4% PETITE SIRAH, O,5% DE VIOGNOER  (5% Eleven Confessions, 37% Cumulus, 3% The Third Twin, 5% Bien Nacido)
ÂGE DES VIGNES : 2000, 2010 ( THIRD TWIN) 2001 (ELEVENTH CONFESSION), 2004, 2008  (CUMULUS)
DENSITÉ DE PLANTATION: ELEVENTH  CONFESSION : 6 050 PIEDS/HA, CUMULUS : 10 875  PIEDS PAR  HA
RENDEMENTS : ELEVEN CONFESSION : < 3.75  TONNES PAR HECTARE
SOL : THIRD TWIN : SABLONNEUX ET ALLUVIONAIRES
CULTURE :BIOLOGIQUE NON CERTIFIÉE
PLUVIOMÉTRIE :  541 MM PAR AN
IRRIGATION : OUI GOUTTE À GOUTTE
TAILLE : PRINCIPALEMENT VSP CORDON
ALTITUDE : VARIABLE SUIVANT VIGNOBLES
LATITUDE : 34,5° SUD
EXPOSITION : VARIABLE 
VENDANGES : MANUELLES
LEVURES :
VINIFICATION : 52% DE VENDANGES ENTIÈRES. ÉGRAPPAGE DU RESTE. VINIFICATION TRADITIONNELLE FERMENTATION ET MACÉRATION DE 11 À 28 JOURS AVEC PIGEAGES ET REMONTAGES
ÉLEVAGE : 25 % DE FÛTS NEUFS ET 75% DE FÛTS NEUTES PENDANT 38,5 MOIS
COLLAGE : NON
FILTRATION : NON
DEGRÉ : 15.5%
SUCRE RÉSIDUEL: < 3 G/L
BOUCHAGE : BOUCHON LIÈGE
TEMPÉRATURE DE SERVICE : 16-18° C

The 2014 Grenache Testa dei Cherubini saw fully 37.5 months in wood, some 25% new, but its influence is imperceptible; the wine is strikingly pure and vibrant. Krankl commented that the longer the wines spend in barrel, the more slowly they seem to evolve in bottle. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of juicy red cherries, peonies and plums, it’s initially quite reserved, becoming more expressive with air. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, layered and very concentrated, with strikingly fine-grained, revolved tannins, juicy acids and impressive length and depth. Like the 2015 Le Chemin Vers l’Hérésie also reviewed in this report, it’s remarkably pure and integrated and ranks as one of the finest Grenache bottlings I’ve tasted from Sine Qua Non. It’s also one wine that will clearly benefit from bottle age, no matter how tempting it may be when it’s released in November of this year. The blend includes 15.5% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah and a tiny 0.5% of Viognier, and 895 cases, 228 magnums and 30 double magnums were produced. Robert Parker. The Wine Advocate: 98+/100