97 pts - Wine Advocate
It is fascinating to taste the 2008 Syrah Estate The Duel next to the Grenache The Duel. Endless layers of seamless fruit are woven together in this utterly impeccable, full-bodied wine. The 2008 boasts dazzling richness and sheer power. It is pretty clear that in 2008 the Syrah did better than the Grenache with extended time in barrel. Violets, mint, tar and licorice flesh out on the huge, explosive finish. It will be interesting to see how the 2008 develops. Today, it is pretty special. The 2008 is 88% Syrah, 6% Grenache and 6% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard. A small portion of the Syrah was vinified with whole clusters. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.-AG
96 pts - Vinous
The 2008 Syrah The Duel, from Manfred and Elaine Krankl’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard, is also impossibly young, with little in the way of flavor development. I typically enjoy the Sine Qua Non reds either upon release or around age ten, so I probably should have followed my own advice. The 2008 is beautiful, but it will clearly be even better in another few years’ time. This is one of the most reticent bottles of the 2008 I have tasted.- Antonio Galloni (01/2015)