2020 Sine Qua Non White Blend Distenta II

I know the reds get all of the attention here, but the whites are absolutely at the same level, and I don't know anyone doing white blends like this at the same level. A blend of 32% Roussanne, 26% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay, and the rest Gelber Muskateller and Petit Manseng, from Eleven Confessions, Third Twin, Cumulus, and Bien Nacido, the 2020 Non Disenta II White spent 23 months in 45% new French oak. Incredible aromatics of buttered apricots, acacia flowers, orange blossom, brioche, and caramelized pineapple all define this youthful, primordial white that's full-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, beautiful freshness, and a great finish. I'd put this up with some of the finest whites yet from this estate. Looking at the new vintages reviewed here, the 2021s come from a cooler, even, balanced year and actually share a similar profile with the 2019s. These are still classic Sine Qua Non releases, but there’s clearly a fresher, elegant vibe, and the wines are flawlessly balanced. In comparison, the 2020s come across as bigger, richer wines that have tons of sexy opulence and richness. I was able to taste the two longer élevage Eleven Confession Vineyard releases from 2019, and these are absolutely captivating wines I wish every reader could taste. As I said above, there are lots of similarities to the 2021s here, and the wines have a beautiful purity and elegance about them without sacrificing depth or richness.

The 2020 White Wine Distenta II is a rich, deep white. Long élevage of 23 months in wood, on the lees, works beautifully with this fruit. Dried lemon peel, chamomile, sage, mint and white pepper lend nuance throughout, but it is the wine's textural resonance that stands out most. It's one of the finest whites I have tasted from Sine Qua Non in some time. The blend is 32% Roussanne, 26% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay, 12% Gelber Muskateller and 5% Petit Manseng.

The 2020 White Wine Distenta II could be a polarizing wine due to its unique style, intense aromatics and powerful structure, but I can't get enough of this blend of 32% Roussanne, 26% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay, 12% Gelber Muskateller and 5% Petit Manseng. Grapes were sourced from Santa Babara County and beyond, including Eleven Confessions Estate Vineyard (52%), The Third Twin Estate Vineyard (22%), Cumulus Estate Vineyard (13%) and Chardonnay from Bien Nacido (13%). It was matured around 23 months in 45% new French oak barrels, puncheons and demi-muids and was bottled in August of 2022. Drinking the White Distenta II is an omakase-like experience, an unexpected journey that begins with naturally bitter phenolics, blossoms into soaring perfume and finishes with dessert-like honeyed tones. On day one, the wine is overt and bold, while day two reveals a fresher, livelier white with finer detail, as if the wine is coming into focus. In the mouth, it's expansive and luxuriously satiny. Despite its powerful style and unabashed ripeness, it carries its 15.8% alcohol expertly and maintains a focused streak of tangy acidity. The finish is especially unique, offering touches of butterscotch that complement its perfumed fruit—a rare combination of aromatic grape varieties and classy new wood that works surprisingly well! If you're a fan of aromatic, textural whites, purchase as many bottles as you can so that you can follow what's sure to be unique savory development in bottle over the next 10 to 15+ years. Only 944 cases were made.