Ratings & Tasting Notes:
98 points Jeb Dunnuck
Review Date: 08/2024
The 2021 Grenache Distenta III shows the cooler, more elegant style of the vintage, yet it’s still 100% Sine Qua Non goodness with its richness and concentration. Beautiful black raspberries, ground pepper, sandalwood, and sappy flower notes are just some of the nuances in this beauty, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a pure, layered, seamless mouthfeel, beautifully polished tannins, and a great, great finish. Give it 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 15+. The 2021 is 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvedre, and the rest Petite Sirah and white varieties, fermented with 35% whole clusters, all aged 23 months in just 42% new barrels.
98 points The Wine Independent
Review Date: 09/2024
The 2021 Grenache Distenta III is composed of 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, 3.2% Petite Sirah, 1.6% Petit Manseng, and 0.4% Muscat. It was made using around 34.7% whole clusters, mainly of the Grenache, and was aged for around 23 months in French oak, mostly larger demi-muids barrels, 42.3% new. It reveals a moderately deep ruby-purple color. Upon smelling—wow! The incredible perfume rockets from the glass: black raspberries, kirsch, black currants, and violets, leading to underlying hints of tar, black truffles, and damp soil. The full-bodied palate delivers a rock-solid structure of firm, finely grained tannins and a refreshing line, perfectly framing the bright, well-defined black and red berry flavors, finishing long and earthy. Simply gorgeous. (LPB)
98 points Vinous
Review Date: 07/2024
Now in bottle, the 2021 Grenache Distenta III is every bit as magnificent as it was last year. Savory and wildly dynamic in the glass, the 2021 impresses with its energy and overall vibrancy. Dark-toned fruit, lavender, spice and cooling mineral notes all build in this statuesque, dazzling Grenache. The blend is 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, 3.2% Petite Sirah and 2% Muscat and Petit Manseng. The 35% whole clusters (mostly on the Grenache) add dimension. (AG)
Cult Wines International Notes:
Since its founding in 1994 by Manfred and Elaine Krankl, Sine Qua Non has redefined the concept of “cult” winemaking in California’s Central Coast. Manfred, an Austrian emigrant who co-founded the legendary Campanile restaurant and La Brea Bakery, began his winemaking journey in an industrial Ventura warehouse—a facility Robert Parker famously likened to a “Mad Max” movie set. The winery is celebrated for its radical rejection of consistency; every vintage of their flagship Syrah and Grenache receives a unique name, an original woodcut-printed label designed by Manfred, and a bespoke bottle shape. The 2021 release, “Distenta III” (a name derived from the Latin for “unlabeled” or “unfettered”), reflects the winery’s ultimate transition toward 100% estate-grown fruit. Sourced primarily from the Eleven Confessions, The Third Twin, and Cumulus vineyards, the wine embodies the Krankls’ philosophy that winemaking is an artistic endeavor that should never be bound by a repetitive recipe.
The 2021 vintage in the Central Coast is widely regarded by critics as a year of exceptional elegance and poise, characterized by a long, cool, and balanced growing season. Unlike the more opulent and heat-driven profiles of previous years, 2021 allowed for slow flavor development and the retention of vibrant natural acidity. This cooling trend is particularly evident in the Distenta III Grenache, which is a blend of 79% Grenache supplemented by Syrah, Mourvèdre, and a touch of white varietals. Vinified with approximately 35% whole clusters and aged for 23 months in French oak (42% new), the 2021 expression is noted for its refined, floral aromatics and “statuesque” structure. It presents a sophisticated interplay of black raspberries, violets, and white pepper, offering the trademark Sine Qua Non concentration but with a fresher, more energetic finish that highlights the remarkable clarity of the 2021 harvest.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Outstanding condition.
Please note: The condition of the bottle you will receive is accurately reflected by the one shown in the images.
