Ratings & Tasting Notes:

99 points The Wine Independent
Review Date: 09/2024
The 2022 Grenache Distenta IV comes from three estate vineyards: 35.3% Eleven Confessions, 35.3% The Third Twin, and 29.4% Cumulus Estate. 78% Grenache is blended with 10% Syrah, 7.3% Mourvèdre, 3% Petite Sirah, plus dashes of Muscat and Petit Manseng. The fermentation was performed with 42.9% whole cluster, mainly Grenache. It was aged 23 months in French oak, mostly larger demi-muids, 16.1% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose bursts with a bold perfume of blackberry preserves, juicy blueberries, and black cherries, followed by suggestions of licorice, black pepper, garigue, and dried lavender. The full-bodied palate delivers beautifully ripe yet firm, fine-grained tannins and great tension to support the boisterous fruit layers, finishing very long and fragrant. Give it 3-4 years to tame the fruit and drink it over the next 15-20 years. (LPB)

96-98 points Jeb Dunnuck
Review Date: 08/2024
Moving to the reds from barrels, the 2022 Grenache Distenta IV is another ripe, opulent, sexy wine in the vintage that’s going to check in near the top of the scale. Black raspberries, ground pepper, herbes de Provence, and sandalwood are just some of its nuances, and it’s full-bodied, rich, concentrated, and velvety textured on the palate. It’s a stunner of a wine based on 78% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 7.3% Mourvedre, and the rest Petite Sirah and white varieties.

97 points Vinous
Review Date: 08/2024
The 2022 Grenache Distenta IV is dense and full-bodied to the core. Rich, creamy and expansive, the 2022 is quite showy today, but all the elements are so well balanced. Bright red/purplish fruit, blood orange, spice, lavender and mocha are all amplified to the maximum. The inclusion of 43% whole clusters adds complexity and nuance without overpowering the wine. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this positively stellar Grenache from Sine Qua Non. The 2021 is 78% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 7.3% Mourvèdre, 3% Petite Sirah and 1.7% Muscat and Petit Manseng. (AG)

Cult Wines International Notes:

Sine Qua Non, founded in 1994 by Manfred and Elaine Krankl, has ascended to legendary status by redefining the potential of California’s Central Coast Rhône varieties. Operating out of a modest facility in Ventura, the Krankls have built a global following based on a philosophy of extreme low yields, meticulous vineyard management across their four estate sites—Eleven Confessions, Cumulus, The Third Twin, and Molly Aïda—and an artistic approach to winemaking that includes unique names and label artwork for every single vintage. The “Distenta” series represents their core estate-grown Syrah and Grenache bottlings, characterized by an uncompromising pursuit of texture and “soulfulness.” By blending fruit from diverse microclimates, Sine Qua Non consistently produces wines of immense power and opulence that maintain a startling degree of elegance and complexity.

The 2022 growing season in the Central Coast was defined by a steady, temperate summer followed by a dramatic and sustained heat event in early September. For Sine Qua Non’s estate vineyards, this required an expert touch to navigate the accelerated ripening and preserve the acidity necessary for a balanced Grenache. The 2022 Distenta IV Grenache is a testament to the resilience of these vines, showcasing a deep, concentrated core of fruit that emerged from the heat with its structural integrity intact. Typically blended with small percentages of Syrah, Mourvèdre, or Petite Sirah for added dimension, the 2022 vintage was aged for approximately 23 months in a combination of new and used French oak. The result is a wine of profound depth, offering a kaleidoscope of black raspberry, dried violets, and exotic spices, all framed by the signature velvety mouthfeel that has made Sine Qua Non a benchmark for collectors worldwide.

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.