2019 Sine Qua Non, SQN, Distenta I Syrah, California, Bottle (750ml)

RP98+ "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 Aida. It is a blend of 83.6% Syrah, 6.2% Grenache, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 3% Mourvedre 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. Bottled on July 29, 2021, and tasted on May 24, 2022, 1,999 cases and 600 magnums are set to be released in the spring of 2022." EB May 2022
Sine Qua Non, Distenta I Syrah, California
“Naming wines is becoming impossible,” Manfred Krankl told me last year in a fit of frustration. “Everything has already been taken. Even, 'No Name!'" The Krankl’s are done (for now) with new fanciful names for every new Sine Qua Non label each year. From 2019 onward, the wines are all to be called “Distenta,” meaning “unlabeled” in Latin, with a number to follow. Accordingly, the 2019 Grenache and Syrah releases this year are called “Distenta I.” More importantly, the original artwork for the labels will continue to be different every year, as will the blending creation inside the bottle.