2021 Sine Qua Non Syrah Distenta III
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Tasting notes
Just over half of the 2021 Syrah Distenta III was sourced from The Third Twin Vineyard, with roughly equal parts Cumulus and Eleven Confessions making up the balance. It includes 11.3% Grenache, 3.3% Mourvèdre, 2.1% Petite Sirah and small portions of Muscat and Petit Manseng. The nose is meaty and savory, showing aromas of cured meats, pepperoncini and barbecue smoke aromas melded with rich, creamy, toasty new oak aromas. The palate is extraordinarily extracted and powerful, filled to the brim with sumptuously sweet concentration, which cascades into the decadent, staining finish. Despite the immense power and flashiness here, it leaves something to be discovered, continuously unfurling in the glass while remaining generally balanced. Integrating its alcohol more effortlessly than its Grenache-based counterparts, this is a highlight of the Sine Qua Non lineup.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
A great example of the cooler style of the vintage, the 2021 Syrah Distenta III has quintessential Syrah notes of ripe darker berry fruits, ground pepper, violets, and assorted smoky, meaty, subtly bloody-like nuances. With medium to full-bodied richness, flawless overall balance, and ultra-fine tannins, it picks up a beautiful floral character with time in the glass and reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal's Côte Rôtie La Mouline. Give bottles 4-5 years if you can, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following 15-20 years. The 2021 is 82% Syrah and 11% Grenache, with the balance Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, and white varieties. It was fermented with 21% while clusters and spent 23 months in 53% new French oak.
The 2021 Syrah Distenta III is another magnificent offering in this great vintage. A wine of penetrating depth and vibrancy, the 2021 explodes onto the palate with copious dark fruit, new leather, licorice and spice. It possesses statuesque energy and pedigree to burn. The Distenta III is one of my favorite recent SQN wines. The blend is 81.7% Syrah, 11.3% Grenache, 3.3% Mourvèdre, 2.1% Petite Sirah and 1.6% Muscat and Petit Manseng.
The 2021 Syrah Distenta III continues the theme seen in the Grenache Distenta III, namely a theme of elegance, finesse and nuance to play off the natural richness these wines always have. Black/purplish fruit, new leather, spice, licorice and chocolate saturate the 2021 with tons of depth. I tasted the 2021 from a tank sample just prior to bottling.
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.