Sine Qua Non Sine Qua Non Ziehharmonika Syrah 2018 1.5L

Checking in as 82% Syrah, 6.7% Mourvèdre, and the rest Petite Sirah and Grenache, the 2018 Syrah Ziehharmonika was largely destemmed and brought up in 51% new French oak. Gorgeous crème de cassis, smoked game, bacon fat, and spring flower notes all soar from the glass of this beauty, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ripe, building tannins, and a rare mix of richness and freshness. Unquestionably made in a more restrained, elegant style compared to a decade ago, it nevertheless is flawlessly balanced, has awesome tannins, and is just another magical wine from this address that’s going to benefit from 3–5 years of bottle age and keep for two decades. (Jeb Dunnuck)

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored—WOW—perfumed black and blue fruits prance out of the glass, revealing accents of candied violets and cinnamon stick, supporting the plum preserves, blackberry compote and garrigue-scented core, plus hints of molten dark chocolate, licorice, Chinese five spice and bacon with a touch of iron ore. The densely laden, full-bodied palate is seriously showy, featuring flamboyant black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers with a solid backbone of ripe, rounded tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and loads of earth, pepper and floral fireworks. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown)