98 Points - Vinous:  The 2008 Grenache The Duel, from the estate's Eleven Confessions Vineyard, bursts from the glass with dark cherries, mint and crushed flowers. Initially quite powerful, The Duel turns increasingly elegant on the mid-palate. It finishes with dazzling intensity, elegance and polish. Dark notes of tar, creosote and spices add gravitas. The Duel is 80% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 2% Viognier and 1% Roussanne. A portion of the Grenache (28% of the total blend) was fermented with whole clusters. Krankl planned to give The Duel approximately 35 months in French oak. It is another breathtaking wine.

97 Points - Wine Advocate:  Sine Qua Non’s 2008 Grenache Estate The Duel boasts extraordinary richness, power and sheer depth. Tobacco, leather, mint and spices are woven together in this large-scaled Grenache. There is plenty of intensity here, but the 2008 has just a touch less aromatic definition than the very finest wines at Sine Qua Non. I imagine some of that may be the result of extended aging in oak. The 2008 is 82% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 2% Viognier and 1% Roussanne, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in Santa Rita Hills. A portion of the Grenache was fermented using whole clusters.