Tasting Notes:
No. 15 Blend:
100 points Jeb Dunnuck
Red and blue fruits, ground pepper, sandalwood, new leather, and who knows what else emerges from 2021 No 15 Cumulus Vineyard, another absolutely sensational effort from this genius of a winemaker. Based on 40% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah, and the balance white varieties, it’s full-bodied, has a deep, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and not a hard edge to be found. It picks up more floral nuances with time in the glass and has a rare mix of richness, elegance, and purity. These 2021s from Krankl are clearly on another level. Give this just 2-4 years if you can, and enjoy bottles over the following 15-20 years.
99 points Vinous
The 2021 No. 15 Cumulus Vineyard is a total stunner. It’s also a pretty radical departure from most years in that Grenache drives the blend. That comes through in the wine’s captivating aromatics and gorgeous, layered fruit. Crushed rose petal, red cherry, plum, mint, mocha and dried herbs infuse the palate with notable depth. The 2021 is flat-out stunning—that’s all there is to it. The blend is 40% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah and 4% Petit Manseng. There’s a touch of stem inclusion (7%), but not much. (AG)
No. 7 Touriga Nacional:
98 points Vinous
The 2021 Touriga Nacional – Número Siete is terrific, but it is also a very young wine that will need time in bottle to blossom. All of the pedigree of this great vintage comes through loud and clear. Readers should plan on cellaring this for at least a few years. Dried herbs, lavender, licorice and cool, blue-toned fruit are all beautifully delineated throughout. Dollops of Syrah and Petit Manseng round out the blend, with an added kick of floral nuance from the 11% stems. 98+ (AG)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Notes from Manfred Krankl:
I almost get tears in my eyes as I’m writing this. The 15th version of a cuvée from our own home!!!
It once was nothing but a dream and now we have reached that far into it. What a treat, and things are just getting better and better. Working diligently, without compromising does pay off. This beauty alone certifies it. Let me give you some details:
Firstly, the cuvée is always the outcome of a lot of tasting. It is an absolutely delightful composition of 40% Grenache, 34% Syrah, 22% Petite Sirah and 4% of the rather acidic WHITE variety called Petit Manseng. ALL of the fruit was grown here in Oak View at the vineyard. A whopping 93% of that fruit was destemmed, but 7% was fermented with their perfectly ripe stems. That whole deal was kept in barrels for 30 months and 53%
next of kyn – touriga nacional 2021
Número Sete
Everyone on the SQN team is in love with this Portuguese grape variety and we are absolutely thrilled that we planted it. Initially we only had about 0.78 acres, so naturally not a lot (to put it mildly) was produced from that tiny spot. But in recent years we have planted another 1.27 acres at our great vineyard, with the first fruit from there coming in this recent 2023 harvest (not that that fruit would be included in this blend, but you’ll start to see more Touriga from us overall). So for now, the best we can do ~ sadly ~ is to put one of these winners in the wooden
box with three bottles of next of kyn #15. So, there it is, and I can promise you from the bottom of my heart that you will LOVE it and you will be proud of yourself for having it. I won’t annoy you with anymore wine hieroglyphics here, but my measly (yet expressive) notes say:
Off-the-charts great. Downright unreal. Super dark, super aromatic, super sophisticated, super elegant, super delicious, super long. Maybe the best cuvée I’ve tasted this year. I wish we had more !!! Yes, I am selling something, but I implore you…try this winner at least once in your life.
The precise cuvée is 82% Touriga Nacional, 14% Syrah and 4% of the WHITE Petit Manseng. Only 11% was fermented whole cluster and 42% of the barrels were brand new.
Bottle Size:
A total of 4 bottles in OWC, each 750mL. (3) Bottles from Cumulus vineyard #15 and (1) bottle from Numero Sete (Touriga Nacional)
Storage History:
Always stored properly in a climate controlled cellar.
Condition:
Perfect
