Finna Sze | April 23, 2024
Today, I am pleased to present two newly released assortments from Fingers Crossed, with both assortments being available for delivery in early May 2024.
About the Winery
Fingers Crossed is a boutique Californian winery created by husband-and-wife duo Julia and Nikolas Krankl, son of Manfred Krankl who established the legendary cult winery Sine Qua Non.
Nik Krankl’s connection to the world of wine runs deep, rooted in his upbringing. Art and winemaking are not just professions for Nik; they are ingrained in his very essence. This familial tie is reflected in the captivating, original artwork labels adorning each bottle of Fingers Crossed Wines – a nod to the Sine Qua Non family of wines. The thematic naming of each vintage further adds a layer of storytelling and character to their creations.
About 2021 Vintage
The 2021 vintage of Fingers Crossed truly is a special one as the wines welcome new blocks at the Bien Nacido Vineyard into their winemaking repertoire. These blocks, previously destined for Sine Qua Non, have now found their new home with Nik and Julia. Despite the unfortunate fires of 2020, the wines sourced from the Bien Nacido and Sanford and Benedict vineyards remain untainted by smoke, a testament to the careful selection of vineyards in regions untouched by wildfires.
According to Nik, the vintage itself is the most undeniable source of influence on their wines, shaping the narrative in ways that cannot be altered. Artistry, heritage, and dedication to quality all come together in harmony under Fingers Crossed to present a portfolio of wines that speak volumes about the California Central Coast and the possibility of crafting stunning Rhône-style wines.
The first assortment includes 3 bottles of Syrah and 3 bottles of Grenache.
Syrah 2021 – Wine Advocate: 95-97
It includes 4.7% Grenache, 4.7% Mourvèdre, 4.7% Petite Sirah and 2.9% white wine. It was vinified using 35% whole clusters and matured for 20 months in 63% new French oak.
“Opaque ruby-purple colour. It’s bursting with youthfully broody scents of blueberry preserves, blackcurrant, lavender, tar, game meats and peppermint patty. It is full-bodied, powerful yet balanced, the palate features concentrated floral fruit, detailed, velvety tannins and seamless acidity that carries on through the shimmery finish. 437 cases were produced.” – Wine Advocate.
Grenache 2021 – Wine Advocate 94-96
The Grenache is blended with 11.3% Syrah, 5.5% Mourvèdre, 4% Petite Sirah and 2.7% white wine. It was vinified with 42% whole clusters and matured for 20 months in 38% new French oak.
“It is medium to deep ruby-purple in color, it has pure, detailed aromas of wild berry jam, oolong and bergamot tea leaves, damp earth and bark. The medium-bodied palate is seamless, silky and light on its feet, boasting generously floral fruit and a long, graphite-driven finish. Broody yet delicate, it blossoms gloriously as it spends time in the glass, hinting at dynamic development once in bottle. 348 cases are projected.” – Wine Advocate.
The second assortment includes 5 bottles of white wine and 1 bottle of rosé wine.
White Wine 2021 – Wine Advocate 94-96
This blend is 72% Chardonnay, 15.4% Roussanne and 12.6% Marsanne. It was barrel fermented and matured for 21 months in 86% new French oak.
“It is bursting with intense, dynamic perfume! Alluring tones of beeswax, cashews and spring butter give way to a core of golden apples, apricot and jasmine, and it releases exotic undertones as it spends time in the glass. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and layered, offering wave after wave of highly concentrated yet nuanced flavors. It has an energy derived from slowly building freshness, and a touch of grip pulls at that flavor into a long finish. Just 336 cases of this generous, absolutely delicious wine are projected.” – Wine Advocate.
Rosé 2021
It is a blend of 53% Syrah, 42% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre.
“Our rosé delivers something different – a hybrid – something akin to that of a Pinot Noir or a light-bodied Grenache, but with a white wine quality that is derived from the very fact that we craft them in a fashion more comparable to our white wine than our reds. We allow the skins to macerate with the juice to extract that eye-catching hibiscus/cranberry color, but we do not allow the grape skins to ferment with the juice. That’s a big difference, make no mistake about it…we find it delicious, complex and most intriguing…mixed berries, brown spice and granny smith apple come to mind.” Nikolas & Julia Krankl said. Only 903 bottles were produced.
