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2005 Sine Qua Non Mr. K The Noble Man & The Straw Man Assortment Sine Qua Non, Edna Valley, California, USA

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Country USA
Region California
Appelation Edna Valley
Producer Sine Qua Non
Vintage 2005
Type White (Sweet)
Grape Variety Chardonnay, Marsanne
ABV 11.0%

98 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (June 2008)

The Noble Man: Made from 100% Chardonnay from the Alban Vineyard, the 2005 Mr. K. The Noble Man possesses 235 grams of residual sugar per liter as well as exceptional acid levels. This incredibly rich, sweet white is almost like the Quintessence bottlings from Alsace’s Domaine Weinbach. Its mind-boggling purity, balance, intensity, and sweetness are balanced by the wine’s zesty acidity. An amazing achievement fashioned from 100% botrytised fruit, it will keep for 20 or more years.

100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate (June 2008)

The Straw Man: Even more remarkable is the 2005 Mr. K. Marsanne Vin de Paille The Straw Man. One-hundred percent Marsanne from the Beckmen Vineyard, with remarkably low alcohol (7.5%), a whopping 392 grams of residual sugar per liter, and exceptional acidity (6.4 grams of acid per liter), this is one of the most singular sweet wines I have ever tasted. It rivals the great 2000 Suey that was made from Roussanne and ended up with 241 grams of residual sugar. The individualistic, prodigious sweet wines are the products of meticulous attention to detail, obsessive harvesting requirements, and amazing vinifications and upbringings. They are unbelievable elixirs, and this one is as complex and intense as any sweet wine made in the world. It is a fitting tribute to the genius of both Manfred Krankl and his late partner, Luis Kracher.

93 Josh Raynolds, Vinous (November 2008)

The Noble Man: Orange-gold color. Wild, impressively complex bouquet of smoky apricot, mango, passion fruit, vanilla and brown spices, with a slow-building licorice quality. Round and oily, offering rich orchard and tropical fruit flavors and a deep undercurrent of dusty minerals. A lush, sweet wine that manages to be lively too. Finishes with impressive clinging sweetness and length. This completely botrytized fruit was taken from the Alban vineyard.

95 Josh Raynolds, Vinous (November 2008)

The Straw Man: Bronze-gold color. Candied apricot, honey and toffee on the nose, with a strong mineral quality gaining strength with air. Supple, impressively deep apple and pear compote flavors become sweeter with air, taking on butterscotch and dried fig character. Leaves sweet spice and nutty notes behind on the long, mineral-driven finish. A singular, utterly compelling wine that should be enjoyed on its own. These grapes, taken from the Beckmen vineyard, were air-dried for 46 days.