The tasting note for 2017 Sine Qua Non The Hated Hunter Syrah is from Robert Parker and the score is 98+ - The 2017 Syrah The Hated Hunter (first tasted last year as a barrel sample and before it had been named) is composed of 82.4% Syrah, 5.2% Mourvèdre, 7.8% Petite Sirah, 2% Grenache, 1.2% Petit Manseng and 1.4% Viognier that was fermented with 26% whole cluster. The vineyard sources are 32% Eleven Confessions, 41% The Third Twin, 25% Cumulus and 2% Molly Aida. It was aged for around 23 months in French oak, 59% new. Deep garnet-black, the nose slowly unfurls to offer a vast array of savory, earthy, meaty notes—peppered salami, black olives, charcoal, wild sage and cast-iron pan—over a core of plum preserves, Morello cherries and boysenberries with wafts of menthol, tobacco leaf, Chinese five spice and aniseed. Full-bodied, the palate reveals surprising elegance, poise and restraint, delivering a mid-palate of exotic spices and a seductively plush texture, finishing with tons of earthy nuances and an invigorating minty lift. 1,821 cases and 600 magnums were made. "The Hated Hunter" features an old black and white photo on the label of Manfred Krankl's grandfather in hunting gear, posing with his rifle and hound. The companion 2017 Grenache to this Syrah is "The Gorgeous Victim," a reference to the black and white photo of a carefully composed deer trophy on that label. If wines can tell stories—and I firmly believe they can—I would love to revisit this evocative pair of wines after a decade of cellaring. What a dark, soul-searching, complex tale that will be. The tasting note for 2017 Sine Qua Non The Gorgeous Victim Grenache is from Robert Parker and the score is 98 - The 2017 Grenache The Gorgeous Victim (first tasted last year as a barrel sample and before it had been named) is composed of 76% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Syrah, 3.8% Petit Sirah and 1.2% Viognier. The vineyard sources are - are 46% Cumulus Estate, 29% Eleven Confessions Estate, 6% Molly Aida Estate, 17% The Third Twin Estate and 2% Bien Nacido Vineyard. It was aged for around 23 months in 23% new French oak, 48% used oak (various sizes) and 29% concrete. Forty-six percent (mainly Grenache) was fermented using whole clusters. Deep garnet-purple in color, this wine has a very serious nose of game, fertile soil, crushed rocks and new leather over a wonderfully pure, well-defined core of crushed black cherries and ripe blackberries with wafts of unsmoked cigars and Sichuan pepper. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and built like a brick house, it has a solid backbone of firm, finely grained tannins and great acidity, finishing long and mineral laced. 1,212 cases and 600 magnums were made. "The Gorgeous Victim" features an old black and white photo on the label, taken by Manfred Krankl's grandfather, of a deer brought home, thoughtfully arranged and displayed with personal props in the middle of a floor. The name and, in fact, the style of the wine are intriguingly complementary to the picture, collectively creating a compelling story that I would defy drinkers to say is merely the power of suggestion. The companion 2017 Syrah to this Grenache is "The Hated Hunter"—a reference to Manfred's grandfather.