The very nearly completed (being prepped for bottling in July 2019) 10th installment of this incredible "home" vineyard expression from Sine Qua Non's Cumulus vineyard knocks it out of the park. The Next of Kin 2016 Cumulus Vineyard No. 10 is composed of 46% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 18.3% Petite Sirah, 15.3% Mourvedre and 1.4% Petit Manseng, using 23% whole clusters. It will have spent around 34 months in French oak barrels, 75% new.

Just about pure perfection in a glass, the 2016 No 10 Cumulus Vineyard is an incredible mix of 46% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 18.3% Petite Sirah, and the rest Mourvèdre and Petit Manseng that was mostly destemmed and brought up in 75% new French oak. Awesome notes of blackberries, ground herbs, violets, loamy earth, and chocolate notes give way to a full-bodied, powerful red that has moderate acidity, flawless balance, sweet tannins, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It's another off-the-charts, singular wine from an incredible winemaker.

The 2016 No.10 Cumulus Vineyard is rich, sumptuous and racy to the core. Surprisingly open for a wine that has just been bottled, the 2016 is curvy and inviting, with tons of breadth and fleshiness that fully emerge with a bit of air. Hints of mocha, spice and new leather are laced into a core of dark cherry and plum fruit. The 2016 boasts superb concentration, but it also appears to have a bit less energy than some prior vintages, the 2015 in particular.