2002 Sine Qua Non, Just For The Love Of It, California 1x750ml

Vinous 94+

(with 2% grenache and 2% viognier) Deep ruby-red. Black fruits, orange peel, Tellicherry pepper, sandalwood incense and black walnut on the highly complex nose. Quite youthful, even a bit clenched, in the mouth, with extremely intense, juicy, peppery fruit and a lovely coolness that promises a long evolution in bottle. Compared to the lush grenache bottling, this comes across as somewhat rigid today, but it possesses superb underlying sappiness. Finishes with firm tannins and superb persistence. One of those rare wines that seem to grow darker with aeration. This should have a long and rewarding evolution in bottle and may ultimately merit an even higher score. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/01/2005]

Robert Parker 98

Multiple lots tasted of the 2002 Syrah at the winery all merited scores between 96 and 100. It is already a seamless, extraordinary classic with that fabulous Syrah bouquet of blackberry liqueur, melted licorice, truffles, vanilla, and a hint of smoky bacon. Dense, full-bodied, and already revealing flawless integration of wood, acidity, alcohol, and tannin, it should be prodigious stuff when released next year. (Price not yet determined) Tel. (805) 649-8901 [Robert M. Parker, Jr., 08/23/2003]

Anticipated maturity: 2004-0