SINE QUA NON

2016 Pajarito Del Amor Estate Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard | Ventura, California 750 ml

...a heavenly marriage of 85.4% Grenache, 7.1% Petite Sirah, 6.9% Syrah, and 0.6% of white Viognier - co-fermented. And yes, the point-something numbers are real. On 36% of the fruit we fermented whole clusters and that means we included the ripe stems too. That brings a certain savoriness that we quite enjoy, especially with Grenache. Some 54.7% of the raising vessels were new, but ALL were large - meaning 600 or 650 Liters big boys. It is essentially impossible to meaningfully describe this maiden. Let's just say everything is fully blossoming and this wine spreads across your palate like a crazy woman's quilt. And it won't quit. If I could make every Grenache like it - I would. Not small, that's for sure, but all loving and well-mannered and with intellect as well.
| Manfred Krankl for SQN Wines

...There are just 916 cases of this magical wine, which easily ranks with the greatest Grenache-driven wines to ever come out of California. Deep purple-hued, with an incredibly array of cassis, blackberries, toasted spices, caramelized meats, white pepper, and graphite, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, and expansive, layered mouthfeel, and a blockbuster finish. This is one of those wines that wows from the first sip and is flawlessly balanced, with ripe tannins, incredible purity, and a singular character. | 100 points, Jeb Dunnuck for jebdunnuck.com