Sine Qua Non, Mr. K Eiswein; 1998 & 1999 x2 - California - 3 Half Bottles (0.375L)

In collaboration with Alois Kracher, the sweet wine project "Mr. K" was launched in 1998 and has now become a permanent part of the Sine Qua Non range.

Sine Qua Non Winery

4 ½ Barrels of Syrah
Nowadays, Sine Qua Non is globally known and sought after, not only for its full bottles but even for the empty ones. The wines of Manfred Krankl have already achieved cult status. Every label is unique, designed by the winemaker himself. Each wine has an unusual name that draws attention. As a result, enthusiastic collectors of this brand can be found all over the world. The winery we're talking about is none other than Sine Qua Non. In 1994, wine production started as a hobby for the Upper Austrian Manfred and his wife Elaine. Today, both devote all their time to producing their wines. That year's vintage consisted of 4 ½ barrels of Syrah, which they sold under the brand name "Queen of Spades." These few barrels were enough to propel the winemaker to worldwide fame, living up to the translation of Sine Qua Non ("absolutely essential"). Nowadays, it is very difficult to obtain their wines due to the overwhelming demand. A waiting list was created, though being on it doesn’t necessarily increase the chances of securing a bottle.

95 Parker Points for "Queen of Spades"
Renowned wine critic Robert Parker received a bottle of "Queen of Spades" from the Krankl family and rated it with 95 points. This was their springboard into the global wine scene. Even more interesting was the fact that, at the time, it received the highest rating ever for an American wine based on Rhône grape varieties. The winery is located in Ventura County, Santa Barbara, California. They specialize in Rhône varieties but also include other grape varieties that serve a supportive and harmonious role. Syrah and Grenache play a central role in most of their red wines. The white wines are made from Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Other non-Rhône varieties important to their wine production include Petit Manseng, Touriga Nacional, Graciano, and Petit Sirah. Over the years, many famous wines have been produced, such as: "Poker Face," "Against The Wall," "Just For The Love Of It," and "Piranha Waterdance." Manfred Krankl's passion for his wines is clearly reflected in the quality, the detailed design of the labels, and the thought behind the brand names. It is no surprise that 22 of his wines have earned the maximum 100 points from Parker.

An Expression of Nature
The Krankl family's goal with their Sine Qua Non wines is to express the history, efforts, and origins that go into the product. Nature in California influences the quality of the grapes and the subsequent wines each year. Manfred Krankl strives to work with nature, so that with every new vintage, he creates a unique, memorable wine. His wines reflect his passion, and the enjoyment should last until the very last drop, with the bottle itself serving as a keepsake for the future. The production is limited, and even being on the waiting list doesn’t guarantee you’ll get a bottle. At Trinkreif, we have the honor of acquiring a few of these highly coveted bottles, and they are listed on our complete price list. This gives everyone interested the opportunity to experience the "absolutely essential" moment for themselves.

Weingut
The Weinlaubenhof Kracher is located in the "Seewinkel" area of Burgenland, Austria. There, the combination of evaporation from the lake, evening mists, and the warm Pannonian climate creates humid and warm weather conditions that encourage the development of Botrytis cinerea—the foundation for fantastic sweet wines like Beerenauslesen and Trockenbeerenauslesen.

Every year, Alois Kracher crafted 10 to 15 different Trockenbeerenauslesen from grape varieties such as Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Traminer, Scheurebe, Muskat-Ottonel, and occasionally Zweigelt, in two different styles of winemaking.

The wines labeled "Zwischen den Seen" are aged in large wooden barrels or stainless steel tanks, representing the region's classic style. The "Nouvelle Vague" wines are vinified in new barriques and are characterized by depth, spiciness, and persistence.

Gerhard Kracher now leads the winery with the same dedication and energy as his father.

The offerings from Austria's undoubtedly most famous winery include not only world-renowned Trockenbeerenauslesen but also Beerenauslesen, Auslesen, Eiswein, and small quantities of dry white and red wines.