New York Vintners is ecstatic to host a pair of unique tastings of two of the most iconic and elusive wineries in the world: Sina Qua Non and Angelo Gaja. These are once in a lifetime opportunities to literally taste history.
Thanks,
Shane Benson
New York Vintners, Owner
Sine Qua Non Retrospective
Tuesday December 2nd @ 7:00pm
$1,495 Per Person
No wine in the world is more mystical, mythical, allocated and collectible than Sine Qua Non. SQN was started in 1994 by Manfred and Elaine Krankl in a garage in Ventura, CA described by Robert Parker as "a facility that looks like a Mad Max movie set." Garnishing countless 100 point scores and driving auction markets through the roof, Krankl is, perhaps, America’s single most talented winemaker. Certainly the man is a genius. With only a miniscule production, SQN wines are hard to come by and always very expensive. But experience has taught us that when Krankl gets it right, and he almost always does, his wines have no equal.
With the help of one of the largest SQN collectors in the world we have assembled an UNHEARD OF lineup of 16 offerings, including 7 wines with 100 point scores.
Champagne and a formal tasting will be followed by dinner.
Robert M. Parker, Jr.
100 Points Sine Qua Non 2002 Just For The Love Of It A dead-ringer (at least aromatically) for Guigal’s single vineyard Cote Rotie La Mouline, the 2002 Just For The Love of It is the greatest California Syrah I have yet tasted. A one-thousand case blend of 96% Syrah, 2% Grenache, and 2% Viognier, it is nearly equal parts Alban, Bien Nacido, and Stolpman fruit with a small amount from both Shadow Canyon and White Hawk. It boasts a provocative perfume of creme de cassis, toast, blackberries, licorice, barbecue spice, and exotic floral scents. Extremely full-bodied, with fabulous intensity, great purity, awesome length, and a finish that lasts over a minute, this classic is a must purchase. Already accessible, it will drink well for 10-15 years.
Lineup of Sine Qua Non
Whites
2001 Rien Ne Va Plus - 98 Points
2005 Petition - 98 Points
2006 Hoodoo Man - 95 Points
Reds
2001 On Your Toes - 99 Points
2002 Heart Chorea - 99 Points
2002 Just For The Love Of It - 100 Points
2003 Papa - 98 Points
2003 Inaugural Grenache - 100 Points
2004 Ode to E Syrah – 99 Points
2004 Ode to E Grenache - 100 Points
2004 Poker Face - 99 Points
2005 Atlantis Syrah - 100 Points
2005 17th Nail - 100 Points
2005 Naked Truth - 99 Points
2006 In The Crosshairs - 100 Points
2006 Shot In The Dark - 100 Points
Angelo Gaja Retrospective
Saturday, November 15th @ 7:30pm
$695 Per Person
Before the aforementioned Manfred Krankl, there was Angelo Gaja. The Gaja estate was founded in 1859, and although the estate has been operated by five successive generations (starting with Giovanni Gaja), arguably no Italian winemaker has been more influential than Angelo Gaja. Join us for an amazing examination of 16 of his blue chip wines, including the ultra-rare 1964 Barbaresco.
Champagne and a formal tasting will be followed by dinner.
Lineup of Angelo Gaja:
Barbaresco 2003 Sori San Lorenzo 1997 Sori San Lorenzo 1998 Sori San Lorenzo 1999 Sori San Lorenzo 2000 Sori Tildin 1989 Sori Tildin 1998 Sori Tildin 1999 Sori Tildin 2000 Costa Russi 1997 Costa Russi 1998 Costa Russi 1999 Costa Russi 2000 Sperss 1999 Conteisa 1999 Barbaresco 1964
Angelo Gaja, owner and president of the Gaja Winery, is a fourth-generation Piedmontese winemaker. Internationally acknowledged as one of not only Italy's but the world's greatest winemakers, Angelo Gaja has been responsible for bold innovations in the vineyards and the cellars. Among his innovations in Piedmontese winemaking are the use of barriques (225-liter French oak barrels) for aging wines and his plantings of the region's first 20th century vineyards for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Angelo Gaja is known for producing elegant, opulent wines that are true to their origins. He is a pioneer in the production of single-vineyard wines in Piedmont. The quality of his wines is such that they have been described by Wine Spectator as "perhaps the finest Italian wines ever made."
Born in Alba in 1940, Angelo attended the highly respected Enological Institute of Alba, from which he graduated in 1960 with a degree in enology. He also holds a master's degree in economics from the University of Torino.
Angelo and his wife Lucia live in Barbaresco with their son and two daughters. Lucia plays an active role in the daily management of the Gaja Winery and Gaja Distribuzione.
No wine in the world is more mystical, mythical, allocated and collectible than Sine Qua Non. SQN was started in 1994 by Manfred and Elaine Krankl in a garage in Ventura, CA described by Robert Parker as "a facility that looks like a Mad Max movie set." Garnishing countless 100 point scores and driving auction markets through the roof, Krankl is, perhaps, America’s single most talented winemaker. Certainly the man is a genius. With only a miniscule production, SQN wines are hard to come by and always very expensive. But experience has taught us that when Krankl gets it right, and he almost always does, his wines have no equal.
Angelo Gaja, owner and president of the Gaja Winery, is a fourth-generation Piedmontese winemaker. Internationally acknowledged as one of not only Italy's but the world's greatest winemakers, Angelo Gaja has been responsible for bold innovations in the vineyards and the cellars. Among his innovations in Piedmontese winemaking are the use of barriques (225-liter French oak barrels) for aging wines and his plantings of the region's first 20th century vineyards for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
