2013 Next of Kyn Cumulus Vineyard (3 btls, 1 mag)

The 2013 Next of Kyn - No. 7 Cumulus Vineyard is a real stunner. Rich, explosive and overwhelmingly beautiful, it takes hold of all the senses and never lets go. Even with all of its power and richness, the 2013 retains striking aromatic lift and energy. I would give it another few years to settle down, but it is superb today. This is an extraordinary wine by any measure. Don't miss it. (AG)

The 2013 Cumulus Vineyard #7 is blended of 45% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 15% Petite Sirah, 5% Mourvèdre, 4.5% Touriga Nacional and 1.5% Rossanne, using 58% whole clusters. It sports a deep garnet-purple color with a sexy spiced plums, black cherry coulis and blackberry tart-laced nose accented by hints of tea, dried Provence herbs, mocha, spice box and eucalypt. The bold, powerful, outspoken palate delivers concentrated black fruits and savory layers framed by firm yet fine-grained, velvety tannins and bags of freshness, finishing with lingering baking spice and mineral notions. Full and fresh with plenty of spices and wonderful length.

The 2013 Cumulus Vineyard #7 (45% Syrah, 29% Grenache, 15% Petite Sirah and the balance Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional and Roussanne) is a killer wine that delivers the that rare mix of hedonistic and intellectual pleasure that’s almost impossible to find outside of this address. Notes of cassis, violet, iris, toasted spices and caramelized cherries all emerge from the glass. Full-bodied, unctuous and decadent, yet seamless and silky, with no weight, it has ultra-fine tannin and a finish that won’t quit. This is a tour de force in wine that deserve 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for another decade or more. I loved the 2013s from Manfred Krankl, and these are reminiscent of the 2010s (as are the 2015s). The 2014s are more plush and sexy, with a forward style that’s already impossible to resist. The 2015 reds were all tasted as barrel samples, and these show the firm, structured style of the vintage and I suspect are going to require bottle age to show at their best. I’ve also included the “The Third Twin” releases here, and it, like the Next Of Kyn releases, are released under a separate label and focus on the estate The Third Twin vineyard located outside of Los Alamos.