Local Event

Umami 101 Wine Dinner

Cost: $395.00

Discover the taste sensation of Umami. Bruno Wu has created 4 courses paired with 7 spectacular, World Class wines from Sine Qua Non. Need we say more?

1st course: PEI Mussels with Thai Red Curry Sauce, Cilantro and Thai Basil; Sourdough Crostini

1-Sine Qua Non 2020 Distenta II White Central Coast California

Jeb Dunnuck 99 Rating

I know the reds get all of the attention here, but the whites are absolutely at the same level, and I don't know anyone doing white blends like this at the same level. A blend of 32% Roussanne, 26% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay, and the rest Gelber Muskateller and Petit Manseng, from Eleven Confessions, Third Twin, Cumulus, and Bien Nacido, the 2020 Non Disenta II White spent 23 months in 45% new French oak. Incredible aromatics of buttered apricots, acacia flowers, orange blossom, brioche, and caramelized pineapple all define this youthful, primordial white that's full-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, beautiful freshness, and a great finish. I'd put this up with some of the finest whites yet from this estate. R38-3

2nd course: Roasted Pork Belly with Extra Crispy Skin served with Apple and Jalapeno Slaw

2A-Sine Qua Non 2015 Grenache E Eleven Confessions Vineyard Santa Rita Hills California $499.99

Wine Advocate 100 Rating

This is a single-vineyard Grenache-dominated, barrel-selection blend coming from the Eleven Confessions Estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. It bears Elaine Krankl’s initial and a portrait Manfred made of Elaine on the label. The blend is 82% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 5% Petite Syrah and 1% Viognier, and 56% was fermented using whole clusters. It was aged for around 38 months in French oak, 28% new. R18-2 SP19-1

2B-Sine Qua Non 2016 Grenache Dirt Vernacular California $399.99

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating

One of the finest Grenaches to ever pass my lips is the 2016 Grenache Dirt Vernacular and it’s 78% Grenache, 11.5% Mourvèdre, 7% Touriga Nacional, and the rest Petite Sirah. Reminding me of an old vine Grenache cuvée from the Maurel brothers in Châteauneuf du Pape, it boasts a huge nose of black raspberries, kirsch liqueur, graphite, ground herbs, and pepper. This is one of those wines that offers incredible intensity and depth, yet still just glides over the palate with no sense of heaviness whatsoever. Full-bodied, rich, layered, and pure, it’s a riveting example of Grenache that could come from nowhere else. Drink it any time over the coming 15+ years. R38-4 SP20-1

3rd course: Grilled Lamb Chops finished with Herb Crust, served over Truffle Pommes Puree

3A-Sine Qua Non 2018 Grenache Profuga Central Coast California $399.99

Jeb Dunnuck 98-100 Rating

The 2018 Grenache Profuga is based on 77.5% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 8.3% Syrah, and the rest Petite Sirah and a tiny splash of Viognier. Mostly destemmed (there was 41% stems from the Grenache) and aging in just 37% new French oak, this heavenly beauty has a rare mix of elegance and richness that just begs to be drunk already. Loads of kirsch liqueur, spiced meats, charcuterie, herbes de Provence, and peppery notes define the bouquet, and this full-bodied Grenache is flawlessly balanced, has silky, polished tannins, and a monster of a finish. SP24-10

3B-Sine Qua Non 2017 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard California $399.99

Jeb Dunnuck 99 Rating

The 2017 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard, which will be the name going forward for this wine sourced exclusively form the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, reveals a gorgeous perfume of assorted red and blue fruits as well as iron, ground pepper, Asian spices, and herbes de Provence. Based on 88.7% Grenache, 10.6% Syrah, and the rest Viognier, this full-bodied, ultra-fine, deep, layered Grenache is just about as good as it gets. Drink it any time over the coming 10-15 years. It’s worth pointing out that due to the difficulty in trademarking names today, the longer aged, 100% Eleven Confessions Vineyard Syrah and Grenache will simply bear the name “Eleven Confessions Vineyard” going forward. SP18-1 R18-1

4th course: Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon with Blueberry Demi Glace, Charred Maiktake Mushrooms, Roasted Asparagus

4A-Sine Qua Non 2016 Syrah Ratsel 16 California $399.99

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating

The 2016 Syrah Rastel 16 showed incredibly from barrel and it certainly doesn’t disappoint from bottle. Pure perfection in Syrah, this beauty boasts a deep purple hue as well as a stacked bouquet of ripe blackberries, cured meats, scorched earth, white pepper, white chocolate, and bacon fat. Deep, full-bodied, and massively concentrated, it builds incrementally on the palate, with ultra-fine tannins, perfect balance, and a finish that won’t quit. I struggle to think of another wine that delivers this level of intensity without any sensation of weight or heaviness. The 2016s, in general, are relatively approachable, but nevertheless, do your best to hide bottles for 3-4 years. R38-5 SP15-2

4b-Sine Qua Non 2017 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard California $499.99

Jeb Dunnuck 100 Rating

The 2017 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is the wine of the vintage, and Syrah simply doesn’t get any better. Even in these more difficult vintages, I’m always amazed at what this estate is able to achieve. Dense purple-hued, with an incredible bouquet of sandalwood, dried flowers, incense, saddle leather, and assorted red and blue fruits, it hits the palate with flawless balance, a deep, full-bodied, concentrated mouthfeel, and a heavenly finish. It shows a more up-front, exuberant, sexy style, yet there’s still ample underlying structure and depth. Reminding me of Guigal’s Côte Rôtie La Mouline (maybe amped up just slightly), drink it over the coming 15-20 years. It’s worth pointing out that due to the difficulty in trademarking names today, the longer aged, 100% Eleven Confessions Vineyard Syrah and Grenache will simply bear the name “Eleven Confessions Vineyard” going forward. R24-3

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