2003 | Sine Qua Non | Sublime Isolation Proprietary White

White Wine: 2003 | Sine Qua Non | Sublime Isolation Proprietary White

Rich, pure, and deliciously textured in the mouth, it reveals more on the palate than in its aromas, which should develop more nuances with additional bottle age.

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Producer: Sine Qua Non

Ratings: WA | 93 WC | 91

Vintage: 2003

Size: 750ml

ABV: 15.7%

Varietal: Proprietary White

Country/Region: United States, California

Rich, pure, and deliciously textured in the mouth, it reveals more on the palate than in its aromas, which should develop more nuances with additional bottle age.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: The 2003 Sublime Isolation is a blend of 44% Chardonnay, 37% Roussanne, and 19% Viognier, all from the Alban vineyard. Aromatically restrained by SQN standards, with coaxing it offers up notes of honeyed pineapples, minerals, and flowers, but it is much more timid than its younger sibling. Rich, pure, and deliciously textured in the mouth, it reveals more on the palate than in its aromas, which should develop more nuances with additional bottle age. Sadly, production of this brilliant dry white proprietary wine is a minuscule 250 cases.

• Wine Cellar: More deeply pitched on the nose than the 2004 white blend but equally pure: pineapple, grapefruit, menthol, minerals and smoke, with hints of more exotic fruits. Conveys an even rounder, sweeter, fuller impression than the ’03, with glyceral, layered flavors of mirabelle, honey and herbs. But without the floral lift of the 2004, this impressively fat and rich wine is just short of heavy.

Producer Information

Sine Qua Non has its own winemaking facility in Ventura, California not far from the Santa Barbara vineyards where the fruit is sourced from. In the last few years Manfred and his wife, Elaine, have begun creating their own vineyards dedicated to Rhone varietals. Their winemaking philosophy is to work in very small batches, gravity flow, natural yeasts (unless a fermentation problem is anticipated), long lees aging for the whites and repeated racking for the reds to open them up. This is a modified explanation of a very dedicated and artistic approach to winemaking. The wines are simultaneously very rich and elegant, superbly balanced and thoroughly harmonious with food, never overwhelming.