2019 Distenta 1 Grenache
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Grenache Distenta I, which was tasted from bottle, is cut from the same cloth as the 2020, although it's a touch more focused and elegant. Black raspberries, white pepper, new saddle leather, and beautiful floral and spicy notes all soar from the glass, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, layered mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. The blend is 76% Grenache, 9.3% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, and the rest Petite Sirah and Viognier that saw 43.5% whole clusters and 23 months in 26% new French oak, with 6.8% in concrete and the balance in used oak. It's another sensational wine from this estate that flirts with perfection. I’ve been visiting with Sine Qua Non for a decade now, and I never cease to be amazed at the quality consistently coming from this address. In addition, Krankl somehow manages to deliver brilliance with just about any variety out there, and whether it’s Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Touriga Nacional, Roussanne, or even Petit Manseng, you can expect a truly riveting wine, as well as a wine with singular characteristics. Unfortunately, it’s all too common, particularly for those who don’t drink the wines often, to assume all California cult wines are over-ripe or heavy. The reality, however, couldn’t be more different, and great wines deliver intensity and depth while staying light on their feet and elegant. And these latest releases from Sine Qua Non are great wines.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Grenache Distenta I is gorgeous. It offers up effusive aromatics, bright, punchy varietal fruit and fabulous balance. There's an extra dimension of fruit plushness, vis-a-vis the 2019 that is so alluring. Plush, silky tannins wrap things out in style. (AG)
The 2019 Grenache Distenta I is composed of 76% Grenache, 9.3% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 2.4% Viognier. It was fermented with 43.5% whole clusters (predominantly Grenache) and matured for 23 months in 26.5% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple in color, it explodes with scents of crushed blackberries and blueberries, tar, coffee beans, cracked pepper and thyme. The full-bodied palate has a frame of grainy tannins, seamless acidity and layer after layer of spicy and floral fruit. It has a latency that suggests it will continue to develop for many years in bottle. 1,536 cases and 600 magnums will be released in the spring of 2022. This 2019 is made almost entirely from estate fruit—just 15% comes from the Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. The rest of the fruit comes from estate vineyards The Third Twin (39%), Eleven Confessions (32%), Cumulus (11%) and Molly Aïda (3%).
About the producer
The brainchild of Manfred Krankl, Sine Qua Non (commonly known as SQN) is a cult California producer whose wines are avidly collected. The winery focuses on Rhône-inspired blends, however is famously non-conformist with each release totally unique.