Pure perfection, the 2017 No 11 comes all from the estate Cumulus Vineyard around the estate in Oak View and is 48% Syrah, 24.8% Grenache, 12.7% Mourvèdre, 10.6% Petite Sirah, and the balance a mix of white varieties including Petit Manseng and Roussanne. Fermented with 23% whole clusters and aged 32 months in 68% new French oak, this incredible 2017 boasts a saturated purple hue to go with full-bodied aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, bouquet garni, ground pepper, white chocolate, and cured meats. Incredibly complex, flawlessly balanced, and with a seamless texture that needs to be tasted to be believed, this is a magical blend from California that can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for 15-20 years. Hats off to the Krankl family for another truly special wine!

The deep garnet-purple colored 2017 Cumulus Vineyard No. 11 prances out of the glass with fragrant, provocative scents of cinnamon stick, potpourri, dusty soil and pencil shavings over an emerging core of wild blueberries, Morello cherries, baked black plums and mulberries plus a suggestion of incense. Full-bodied, the palate is both voluptuous and elegant, with refreshing acidity and super-plush tannins making this so tempting to drink right now. The finish delivers layers of exotic spices and pure licorice. Arrestingly beautiful

The 2017 Next of Kyn is dense, plush and explosive right out of the glass. Black cherry, plum, licorice, chocolate, cloves and leather meld together in a wine of remarkable depth and intensity. The 2017 is decidedly somber and dense in feel. I tasted it just prior to bottling. Naturally, it will be interesting to see how it turns out in bottle.