Sine Qua Non - Syrah Distenta V 2023

In 1994, Sine Qua Non marked its inaugural vintage with a bold move by Austrian-born winemaker Manfred Krankl and his wife Elaine. They unveiled a mere four barrels of Syrah, naming it "Queen of Spades," complete with a label of Manfred’s own design. Before this endeavor, Krankl had collaborated with other winemakers, notably contributing to the creation of "Black and Blue" with Havens Cellars and collaborating on several projects with John Alban of Alban Vineyards.

One of the most distinctive features of Sine Qua Non is that they rarely produce the same wine twice. While this might seem counterintuitive in an industry where consistency is highly valued, it's this uniqueness that sets Sine Qua Non apart.

This daring debut immediately caught the attention of wine critic Robert Parker, who promptly awarded it an impressive 95 points. At the time, this was the highest rating he had ever bestowed upon an American wine based on Rhône grape varieties.

 From these initial four and a half barrels, the legacy of Sine Qua Non began to flourish. It sprouted into four distinct vineyard sites, gathered a dedicated and hardworking team, established a new winery facility, and garnered a worldwide following of passionate wine enthusiasts. The demand for Sine Qua Non wines consistently exceeded the supply, leading to the creation of a waitlist – a testament to their cult-like status in the wine world.

"Tasted just before bottling, the 2023 Syrah Distenta V has all the makings of a masterpiece. Beguiling aromatics of exotic spice, violets, blueberries and crushed rocks soar from the glass, leading into a wine of staggering elegance and expressiveness. Juicy yet refined, it already shows remarkable completeness, with a suave balance that promises even greater things in bottle. The blend is 85.8% Syrah, 5.5% Grenache, 3.7% Petite Sirah, 3.3% Mourvèdre, 1.3% Petit Manseng and 0.4% Muscat, vinified with 11% whole clusters. Nearly half of the fruit comes from the Third Twin Vineyard in 2023, which imbues the Distenta V with brightness and verve." - 98-100 Points, Vinous

"The 2023 Syrah Distenta V comes from the estate’s The Third Twin, Cumulus, and Eleven Confessions vineyards and is a blend of 85.8% Syrah, 5.5% Grenache, 3.7% Petite Sirah, 3.3% Mourvèdre, and the rest white varieties. Fermented with 11% whole clusters and aged 23 months in 63% new French oak, it displays a deep purple hue and offers dark blackberries, cracked pepper, violets, flowers, and leather. This is a darker, focused, peppery, full-bodied style that’s beautifully balanced with the fresher, focused character of the vintage." - 96-98 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2023 Syrah Distenta V is blended with 85.8% Grenache, 3.7% Petite Sirah, 3.3% Mourvèdre, and dollops of Petit Manseng and Muscat. It was matured for 23 months in French oak, 63% new, and 11% whole clusters were employed. Very deep purple-black in color, the nose is a little shy to start, opening out to a beguiling perfume of roses, tar, juicy black cherries, and warm plums, plus hints of lavender and damp soil. Full-bodied, the palate is bright and shiny with fragrant floral notes accenting the intense, crunchy black fruit layers, textured with firm, grainy tannins, finishing long and perfumed." - 100 Points, The Wine Palate

Producer: Sine Qua Non

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre

Appellation: Central Coast

Vintage: 2023

Size: 750ml