2015 Sine Qua Non Trouver l'Arène & Le Chemin Vers L'Hérésie Assortment Sine Qua Non, Central Coast, California, USA
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Region | California |
| Appellation | Central Coast |
| Producer | Sine Qua Non |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Type | Red (Dry) |
| Grape Variety | Syrah, Grenache |
| ABV | 15.6% |
| Format | 2x150cl |
| Packaging | Original Wood Case |
| Duty Status | In Bond |
| Notes | 1 magnum each of Trouver l'Arène Syrah & Le Chemin Vers L'Hérésie Grenache |
| Provenance | Purchased by Liquid Assets from a US-based merchant; directly imported into the UK by Liquid Assets; securely stored in a climate-controlled bonded facility |
| Stock | 7 cases (in stock and available immediately) |
100 Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate (September 2017)
Trouver l'Arène Syrah: Composed of 80.5% Syrah, 7% Petite Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, 2% Grenache and 3.5% Viognier, all sourced from estate vineyards—37% The Third Twin, 36% Eleven Confessions and 27% Cumulus—the 2015 Syrah Trouver L’Arene was made using 34% whole cluster and has a deep purple-black color with intense cassis, black plums and black cherries scents plus hints of anise, violets, sage and tar, with wafts of savory/smoked meat suggestions. Full-bodied, this voluptuous beauty is seriously singing in the mouth, belting out vibrant red and black fruit flavor layers, all framed by very fine, rounded, ripe tannins and a wonderful freshness, finishing with persistent perfumed fruit and a spring in its step. 1,778 cases and 600 magnums were produced.
98+ Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate (September 2017)
Le Chemin Vers L'Hérésie Grenache: The 2015 Grenache Le Chemin Vers L'Heresie is a blend of 75% Grenache, 13% Mourvèdre, 8% Touriga Nacional and 4% Petite Sirah, coming 35% from The Third Twin (Estate) Vineyard, 9% from Bien Nacido Vineyard, 28% from the Cumulus (Estate) Vineyard, 26% from the Eleven Confessions (Estate) Vineyard and 2% from Molly Aida (Estate) Vineyard. It was produced using 44% whole cluster and aged for around 22 months in French oak, 11% new (bottled August 21, 2017). It has a deep garnet-purple color and fragrant nose of violets, kirsch, blueberry compote and dark chocolate with hints of lavender, smoky bacon, Provence herbs and menthol. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and bold, the wines bursts with energy, superbly framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with lingering sautéed herbs and black pepper notions. 1,204 cases of 750 milliliter bottles and 600 magnum bottles were made.
97 Antonio Galloni, Vinous (September 2018)
Trouver l'Arène Syrah: A real head-turner, the 2015 Syrah Trouver l'Arène is every bit as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. Rich, sumptuous and exquisitely layered, the 2015 possesses magnificent concentration as it builds in the glass. Inky dark blue/purplish berry fruit, graphite, smoke, licorice and spice are some of the many nuances that develop in an arrestingly beautiful, vivid Syrah that will thrill those fortunate enough to find it. The blend is 80.5% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 7% Mourvedre, 2% Grenache and 3.5% Viognier, done with 34% whole clusters and aged for 22 months in 48% new oak.
96+ Antonio Galloni, Vinous (September 2018)
Le Chemin Vers L'Hérésie Grenache: The 2015 Grenache Le Chemin vers l'Hérésie is a dense, powerful wine that captures the natural richness of the year in spades. Dark, potent and brooding, the 2015 hits the palate with serious depth and resonance. This is an especially dark, somber vintage for the Grenache. The 2015 is going to need at least a few years to shed some of its baby fat and recover from its relatively recent bottling. I found the 2015 a bit more expressive from barrel, but that is hardly surprising given that the wine was bottled just a few weeks before this tasting.
100 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (July 2018)
Trouver l'Arène Syrah: The otherworldly 2015 Syrah Trouver l’Arene is made from 80% Syrah, 7% each of Petite Sirah and Mourvèdre, and the balance Viognier and Grenache. As with the Grenache in 2015, it saw some whole clusters in the fermentation and spent 22 months in close to equal parts new and used French oak. Opaque purple-colored and loaded with sensational notes of smoked black fruits, peppery herbs, liquid flowers, exotic spice, and lavender, this insane beauty hits the palate with awesome density and depth, yet stays amazingly light and graceful, with no apparent weight or heaviness. It possesses sweet tannin, incredible purity of fruit, and a finish that goes on for nearly a minute. It’s an incredible effort that reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Côte Rôtie La Mouline (the 2010? It’s not too dissimilar to the 2003 early in its life) with its exotic, floral, gamey character. There have been so many monumental Syrahs from this address it’s difficult to say where this beauty will ultimately end up when it’s at maturity, but my money is on it being in the top handful of Syrahs ever made by Manfred. It’s incredible today (with a decant) but needs 3-5 years and will knock your socks off over the following two decades or more.
99 Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com (July 2018)
Le Chemin Vers L'Hérésie Grenache: I loved the 2015 Grenache le Chemin Vers l’Heresie from barrel, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint from bottle. The 2015 checks in as a blend of 75% Grenache, 13% Mourvèdre, 8% Touriga Nacional and the rest Petite Sirah, fermented with 44% whole clusters (all from the Grenache and Mourvèdre) and aged close to two years in mostly used barrel. It sports a ruby/purple-tinged color to go with gorgeous notes of black cherries, framboise, black olives, fennel seed, and peppery herbs. Deep, concentrated, yet also voluptuous and seamless, it’s another tour de force from this estate which consistently produces one of the greatest Grenaches in the world. Drink it anytime over the coming 15+ years.