Sine Qua Non The Third Twin Nuestra Senora del Tercer Gemelo 2017, 750ml

This is the second edition of this single-vineyard cuvée from The Third Twin estate in Los Alamos, as a follow-up to last year’s “Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Gemelo,” but this time the core of the blend is Grenache as opposed to Mourvèdre. Due to a possible trademark dispute, this wine may get a name change prior to release, potentially to be called, “The Other Lady.” The small proportion of Viognier in this blend was co-fermented with red grapes, but interestingly, because it ripens earlier than the reds, the white berries were frozen and added to the reds at the time of fermentation. As an added bonus, these frozen grapes help to cool and, therefore, slow the fermentation. This wine was recently bottled, on May 22, 2020, after spending 32 months in French oak, 12% new.

Composed of 42% Grenache, 17% Mourvèdre, 15% Petite Sirah, 12% Graciano, 11.5% Syrah and 2.5% Viognier, employing 18% whole clusters, the 2017 Nuestra Senora Del Tercer Gemelo sports a deep garnet-purple color. It springs from the glass with vibrant red and black cherries, raspberry coulis and pomegranate scents with suggestions of lilacs, crushed rocks and damp soil, giving way to a raw, savory, almost animal underbelly. The full-bodied, generously fruited palate is beautifully juxtaposed by impressive freshness and a firm, grainy texture, finishing with an amazing array of fragrant earth and black truffle-inspired layers. All the hints are there that this could warrant a higher score after a few years in bottle, but as usual, I've been conservative and called it as it is today. Score aside, this is a very exciting, unmistakably singular wine. 428 cases were made.

WA 98+