2018 Next of Kyn, No12 Assortment Case, California 4x75cl

Jeb Dunnuck 100/99

The 2018s at this estate are incredible and, if anything, remind me a little of the 2016s, where just about every wine was at the top of the scale. The 2018 No 12 Cumulus Vineyard is more Syrah-dominated, checking in as 47.7% Syrah, 23.4% Grenache, 21.3% Petite Sirah, 5.6% Mourvedre, and the rest Petit Manseng, all of which saw 41% whole clusters and 32 months in just 34% new French oak. Darker berries, Italian leather, kirsch, sandalwood, and dried flower notes are just some of the aromatics here, and it’s full-bodied, has a seamless, graceful, yet sexy mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a blockbuster of a finish. It’s another one of those wines that has everything: complexity, purity, power, elegance, you name it. Bravo! Drink this incredible elixir over the coming 15-20 years. I was able to taste two new releases from the Krankls Next of Kyn label. Starting with the 2018 Touriga Nacional Numero Quatro, which also includes 9.1% Syrah, 7.2% Grenache, 6.2% Petite Sirah, and 1.5% Roussanne, it s a full-bodied, deep, rich monster of a wine that still stays balance and elegant, with a terrific perfume of blue fruits, violets, gravelly earth, and peppery spice. It has building tannins, but the balance is as good as it gets, and it has a finish that won t quit. Fermented with 35% whole clusters and aged 32 months in 60% new French oak, it s going to keep for a solid 15 years or more. [26/08/2021]

Robert Parker 100/98

Manfred Krankl notes that the 2018 Cumulus Vineyard No. 12 represents a shift away from earlier cuvees that were dominated by the Syrah grape. This iteration is composed of 47.7% Syrah, 23.4% Grenache, 21.3% Petite Sirah, 5.6% Mourvedre and 2 % Petit Manseng. The 2018 also comes entirely from the Next of Kyn estate vineyard Cumulus. It was made using 41% whole clusters and matured around 32 months in 34% new French oak (the remaining barrels were one to three years old). Deep ruby-purple in color, it blossoms slowly to aromas of cassis, lilac, coffee beans, dried mint and bouquet garni. The full-bodied palate is powerful yet elegant, its concentrated fruits balanced by grainy tannins and fresh acidity that highlights its floral perfume on the long finish. It was bottled on May 6, 2021, and tasted on May 24, 2022. Around 380 cases and 222 magnums were made, sold as part of a four-bottle set with one bottle of Touriga Nacional. This cuvee comes entirely from the Krankl s home vineyard the Cumulus vineyard in Oak View, just south and inland from Santa Barbara, on the road to Ojai. There are now just over 12.5 acres planted at Cumulus. The first plantings of Syrah, Grenache and Roussanne took place in 2004. A little more Grenache was planted in 2005. Then in 2008, small blocks of Petite Manseng, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Mourvedre and Petite Sirah were added, including 3.5 acres on its own roots. The 2018 Touriga Nacional Numero Quatro is a blend of 76% Touriga Nacional, 6.2% Petite Sirah, 9.1% Syrah, 7.2% Grenache and 1.5% Roussanne, using 35% whole clusters. It spent around 33 months in French oak barrels, 60% new. Featuring an opaque purple-black color, the nose opens like a rocket, soaring with plum preserves, blueberry pie, star anise and kirsch scents, followed by hints of tobacco leaf, cedar chest, dried lavender and menthol, plus a waft of dusty soil. The full-bodied palate is laden with black and red berry layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and beautifully poised acidity, finishing with fantastic length and loads of red fruit and blossom sparks. (Lisa Perrotti-Brown) [31/05/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2025-2040