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Syrah & Grenache · Central Coast
98+ points from Robert Parker.
“The 2019 Syrah Distenta I comes entirely from the Krankls' estate vineyards: 35% from The Third Twin, 33% from Eleven Confessions, 31% from Cumulus and 1% from Molly Aïda. It is a blend of 83.6% Syrah, 6.2% Grenache, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 3% Mourvèdre and 2% white grapes (1.4% Muskat and 0.6% Petit Manseng). Fermented with 33% whole clusters and matured for 23 months in 43% new French oak, it has an opaque purple-black color and takes plenty of time in the glass to reveal a core of cassis and accents of sage, lavender, tar and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and still youthfully coiled. It has a fine, grainy texture, fresh acidity and a long, floral finish.”
Every detail we hold on this bottle, in one place, so you know exactly what is going into your cellar.
Sine Qua Non is one of California's most famous wine producers. Based just north of Los Angeles in Ventura County, and with most of its vineyards in Santa Barbara, it eschews the usual image of top California wine as being only from Napa Valley. That is not the only thing eschewed at Sine Qua Non – the same wine is rarely made more than once, turning the idea of the American icon wine on its head.
The cult winery specializes in Rhône grape varieties, with most of the red wines based on Syrah and Grenache. White wines are typically based on Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier and are also modelled after Rhône wines. While most of Sine Qua Non's vineyards are located in Santa Barbara, the home vineyard (and the winery) is located in Oak View. Many of the wines are labeled under the more generic California and Central Coast AVAs, rather than the specific AVAs the vineyards are located in, giving more freedom when it comes to blending.
Sine Qua Non's first vintage was 1994, as Austrian-born winemaker Manfred Krankl released three barrels of Syrah as "Queen of Spades" with a label he had designed himself. Previously, Krankl had made wines with other winemakers – including the "Black and Blue" wine with Havens Cellars and several wines with John Alban of Alban Vineyards. After releasing Queen of Spades, Krankl sent a bottle to Robert Parker, who promptly gave the wine 95 points – then the highest he'd given any American wine based on a Rhône variety
2 bottles, 2 x 1500 ml, of the 2019 vintage.
Local pickup is by appointment only. If you choose pickup at checkout, please email leo@cultwine.com to schedule your pickup.
Winemaker Manfred Krankl, at Sine Qua Non, owned by Manfred Krankl.
Yes. You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase.
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