Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular wine California sold by Angry Wine Merchant 2016 Sine Qua Non 2016 Sine Qua Non
Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular wine California sold by Angry Wine Merchant
2016 Sine Qua Non
2016 Sine Qua Non

2016 Sine Qua Non

Dirt Vernacular

Grenache

America / California / Central Coast  / Santa Rita Hills

¥46,300
JD 100
RP 98
V 98
Size:
Quantity:

2016 Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular – A Rare California Cult Rhône Blend

The 2016 Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular is a striking example of the visionary winemaking of Manfred Krankl. Produced in limited quantities, it represents the pinnacle of California Cult Wines, blending Rhône varietals with extraordinary precision and personality. As with all Sine Qua Non releases, this bottling was allocated exclusively to mailing list members, making it one of the most difficult wines to source on the secondary market.

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Dirt Vernacular displays an exotic bouquet of blackberries, blueberry compote, and smoked meats, intertwined with notes of lavender, black pepper, and subtle incense. The palate is opulent yet balanced, offering rich dark fruit, fine tannins, and layers of licorice and mineral undertones that carry through a long, structured finish.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Crafted from a blend of Syrah with smaller amounts of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah, sourced from estate vineyards in California’s Central Coast. The wine was fermented using native yeasts and aged in a mix of new and used French oak barrels before bottling without filtration. Krankl’s meticulous attention to detail results in wines of profound texture, individuality, and longevity.

Investment & Collectibility

The 2016 Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular is among the most collectible wines in the modern California landscape. Its rarity, mailing-list exclusivity, and critical acclaim make it a coveted acquisition for enthusiasts of bold, expressive Rhône-inspired blends. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Specifics & Accolades

The 2016 vintage in California delivered excellent balance, combining richness with freshness. For Sine Qua Non, it resulted in a wine of great depth and harmony.

  • 98 points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  • 97 points – Jeb Dunnuck
  • 96 points – Vinous

Explore Related Collections


JD 100

Jeb Dunnuck

I called the 2016 Grenache Dirt Vernacular a perfect wine last year, and it’s still straight-up heavenly stuff that tops out on my scale this year. A blend of 78% Grenache, 11.5% Mourvèdre, 7% Touriga Nacional, and the rest Petite Sirah, it comes mostly from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills yet also includes fruit from the Third Twin, Cumulus, Bien Nacido, and Molly Aida vineyards. Aged 23 months in 38% new French oak, it offers awesome notes of kirsch liqueur, blackberries, ground pepper, leafy herbs, and graphite as well as a full-bodied, powerful, yet weightless style on the palate. It’s one of those wines that offer incredible intensity and depth, yet stays weightless, seamless, and elegant. It’s a magical wine and one of the greatest Grenache releases to ever come from California. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: October 31 2019. Drinking window: 2021 - 2036.
RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 98+)The label of the 2016 Dirt Venacular is based on a picture of a stone imbedded in another stone. The wine is composed of 78% Grenache, 11.5% Mourvèdre, 7% Touriga Nacional and 3.5% Petite Sirah, fermented using 43% whole cluster with the whole cluster mostly used on the Grenache component. The vineyard sources are 42% Eleven Confessions Estate, 25% The Third Twin Estate, 22% Cumulus Estate, 9% Bien Nacido and 2% Molly Aida Estate. It was aged for around 23 months in 38% new French oak, 53% used French oak and 9% concrete. Medium to deep garnet-purple, this Grenache beauty sashays out of the glass with stunning kirsch, black raspberry, stewed tea, red roses, Chinese five spice and redcurrant jelly notes with nuances of wild blueberries and candied violets plus enticing cardamom, chargrill and black pepper undertones. Full-on decadent and full-bodied, the palate is also so vivacious, possessing amazing freshness and velvety/fine-grained tannins, finishing with tons of floral and red fruit layers. Pure hedonism. 1,208 cases and 600 magnums were made. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Tasting date: June 28, 2019. Drinking window: 2020 - 2040.
V 98

Vinous

Sine Qua Non’s 2016 Grenache Dirt Vernacular is a classic Sine Qua Non wine. Rich, powerful and aromatically deep, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of sweet dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, lavender and spice builds in an opulent, flamboyant wine that hits all the right notes. Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and Petite Sirah add striking sepia tones throughout. This is a stunning showing. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: June, 2019. Drinking window: 2022 - 2031.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

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International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
JD 100

Jeb Dunnuck

I called the 2016 Grenache Dirt Vernacular a perfect wine last year, and it’s still straight-up heavenly stuff that tops out on my scale this year. A blend of 78% Grenache, 11.5% Mourvèdre, 7% Touriga Nacional, and the rest Petite Sirah, it comes mostly from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills yet also includes fruit from the Third Twin, Cumulus, Bien Nacido, and Molly Aida vineyards. Aged 23 months in 38% new French oak, it offers awesome notes of kirsch liqueur, blackberries, ground pepper, leafy herbs, and graphite as well as a full-bodied, powerful, yet weightless style on the palate. It’s one of those wines that offer incredible intensity and depth, yet stays weightless, seamless, and elegant. It’s a magical wine and one of the greatest Grenache releases to ever come from California. Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck. Tasting date: October 31 2019. Drinking window: 2021 - 2036.
RP 98

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 98+)The label of the 2016 Dirt Venacular is based on a picture of a stone imbedded in another stone. The wine is composed of 78% Grenache, 11.5% Mourvèdre, 7% Touriga Nacional and 3.5% Petite Sirah, fermented using 43% whole cluster with the whole cluster mostly used on the Grenache component. The vineyard sources are 42% Eleven Confessions Estate, 25% The Third Twin Estate, 22% Cumulus Estate, 9% Bien Nacido and 2% Molly Aida Estate. It was aged for around 23 months in 38% new French oak, 53% used French oak and 9% concrete. Medium to deep garnet-purple, this Grenache beauty sashays out of the glass with stunning kirsch, black raspberry, stewed tea, red roses, Chinese five spice and redcurrant jelly notes with nuances of wild blueberries and candied violets plus enticing cardamom, chargrill and black pepper undertones. Full-on decadent and full-bodied, the palate is also so vivacious, possessing amazing freshness and velvety/fine-grained tannins, finishing with tons of floral and red fruit layers. Pure hedonism. 1,208 cases and 600 magnums were made. Reviewed by Lisa Perrotti-Brown. Tasting date: June 28, 2019. Drinking window: 2020 - 2040.
V 98

Vinous

Sine Qua Non’s 2016 Grenache Dirt Vernacular is a classic Sine Qua Non wine. Rich, powerful and aromatically deep, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of sweet dark cherry, plum, mocha, licorice, lavender and spice builds in an opulent, flamboyant wine that hits all the right notes. Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and Petite Sirah add striking sepia tones throughout. This is a stunning showing. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: June, 2019. Drinking window: 2022 - 2031.

2016 Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular – A Rare California Cult Rhône Blend

The 2016 Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular is a striking example of the visionary winemaking of Manfred Krankl. Produced in limited quantities, it represents the pinnacle of California Cult Wines, blending Rhône varietals with extraordinary precision and personality. As with all Sine Qua Non releases, this bottling was allocated exclusively to mailing list members, making it one of the most difficult wines to source on the secondary market.

Tasting Notes

The 2016 Dirt Vernacular displays an exotic bouquet of blackberries, blueberry compote, and smoked meats, intertwined with notes of lavender, black pepper, and subtle incense. The palate is opulent yet balanced, offering rich dark fruit, fine tannins, and layers of licorice and mineral undertones that carry through a long, structured finish.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Crafted from a blend of Syrah with smaller amounts of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah, sourced from estate vineyards in California’s Central Coast. The wine was fermented using native yeasts and aged in a mix of new and used French oak barrels before bottling without filtration. Krankl’s meticulous attention to detail results in wines of profound texture, individuality, and longevity.

Investment & Collectibility

The 2016 Sine Qua Non Dirt Vernacular is among the most collectible wines in the modern California landscape. Its rarity, mailing-list exclusivity, and critical acclaim make it a coveted acquisition for enthusiasts of bold, expressive Rhône-inspired blends. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Specifics & Accolades

The 2016 vintage in California delivered excellent balance, combining richness with freshness. For Sine Qua Non, it resulted in a wine of great depth and harmony.

  • 98 points – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  • 97 points – Jeb Dunnuck
  • 96 points – Vinous

Explore Related Collections


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