97-100
Last of the barrel samples, the 2023 Syrah Brain Teaser comes from the Bien Nacido, Stolpman, Rancho Boa Vista, and Sanger vineyards and is 77% Syrah and the balance Petite Sirah and Graciano. Its deep purple hue is followed by a riveting nose of blackberries, peppery, sappy, resinous herbs, and violets. With full-bodied richness and polished tannins, as well as a seamless, flawless overall profile on the palate, this absolutely brilliant barrel sample has perfection written all over it.
Run by Nicolas and Julia Krankl (Nicolas is the son of Sine Qua Non's Manfred Krankl), Fingers Crossed continues to establish itself as one of California's top estates. It's important to realize that these are not Sine Qua Non copycats. They have their own style, which leans slightly more Old World, with notable stem influence and elegance, while still delivering serious California fruit. The lineup includes two whites and two reds, with the names changing each year. The Brain Teaser wines are barrel samples (2023s) that should be bottled soon, while the Life and Death wines are the finished 2022s. Both the white and red blends incorporate Rhône varieties, with the white blend now largely driven by Chardonnay, alongside Roussanne and Marsanne. The goal is to produce the finest white possible, not match some predetermined blend. Fruit sources include Bien Nacido, Stolpman, Alta Mesa, Sanger, and Rancho Boa Vista, and they've also acquired some old Sine Qua Non parcels. Production remains tiny, though they've been able to pick up additional parcels in top vineyards, so I expect modest growth going forward. These are consistently world-class wines that show remarkable balance between richness and elegance. If you want them, get on the mailing list.