2019 Sine Qua Non 'Distenta 1' Syrah California
"The 2019 Syrah Distenta I comes entirely from the Krankls' estate vineyards: 35% from The Third Twin, 33% from Eleven Confessions, 31% from Cumulus and 1% from Molly Aïda. It is a blend of 83.6% Syrah, 6.2% Grenache, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 3% Mourvèdre and 2% white grapes (1.4% Muskat and 0.6% Petit Manseng). Fermented with 33% whole clusters and matured for 23 months in 43% new French oak, it has an opaque purple-black color and takes plenty of time in the glass to reveal a core of cassis and accents of sage, lavender, tar and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and still youthfully coiled. It has a fine, grainy texture, fresh acidity and a long, floral finish." 100Pt Wine Advocate
Wine Advocate
The 2019 Syrah Distenta I is composed of 83.6% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 6.2% Grenache, 1.4% Muscat and 0.6% Petit Manseng. “I think Muscat is the number-one white grape for me to blend with reds,” Manfred told me last year. “It kinda triples the effect of the wine.” The red winemaking included 33% whole cluster. The vineyard sources for this wine are 35% The Third Twin, 33% Eleven Confessions, 31% Cumulus and 1% Molly Aida—all estate-owned vineyards. This wine was bottled at the end of July 2021, after 23 months in French oak, 43% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it erupts from the glass with a powerfully fragrant nose of red roses, Morello cherries, boysenberries and juicy blueberries, followed by hints of mocha, star anise, cardamom and cassia. The concentrated, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with bright, crunchy black, blue and red fruits. It has a rock-solid structure of firm, finely-grained tannins and seamless freshness lifting the shimmering layers to a long, energetic finish. The complexity and vivacity of this Syrah are simply jaw-dropping! This wine is due to be released in spring 2022
Vinous
The 2019 Syrah Distente 1 is a powerhouse. Blackberry jam, chocolate, gravel, spice and leather build in a deep, brooding Syrah that will require a number of years in bottle. Interestingly, the Grenache is so sensual in 2019, while the Syrah is a tannic behemoth.
Jeb Dunnuck
Not yet bottled, the 2019 Syrah Distenta 1 checks in as 83.6% Syrah, 6.2% Grenache, 5.2% Petite Sirah, and the rest Mourvèdre, Muscat, and Petit Manseng. A full-bodied, seductive, incredibly sexy wine that’s just about overflowing with fruit, its deep purple color is followed by beautiful cassis and darker berry fruits as well as notes of smoke game, pepper, and spring flowers. The tannins are polished, and it has a great mid-palate as well as one heck of a great finish. Due to the difficulty in trademarking names today, the estate has settled on using the name Distenta for their normal Syrah going forward. Luckily though, the incredible artwork on the labels will continue.