2020 Sine Qua Non, SQN, Distenta II Syrah, California, Bottle (750ml)

JD99 "A wine that just about tops out the scale, the 2020 Syrah Distenta II (83% Syrah, 8% Grenache, 4% Mourvèdre, and the balance Petite Sirah and mixed whites) is a more exuberant, spicy, incredibly complex Syrah offering assorted red and black fruits, ground pepper, flowery incense, tobacco, and cured meat nuances in its full-bodied, flawlessly balanced, layered, elegant style. Coming 43% from the Third Twin, 33% Eleven Confessions, 21% Cumulus, and the rest from the Molly Aida vineyards (all of which are estate), it saw slightly less whole clusters compared to the 2021 and spent 23 months in 66% new French oak. Anyone questioning the genius of Manfred Krankl needs to taste this wine." JD Aug 2023

LP99 "The 2020 Syrah Distenta II is a blend of 82.9% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, 3.9% Mourvedre, 3.4% Petite Sirah, 1.5% Muscat, and 0.8% Petit Manseng. The vineyard sources are The Third Twin (43%), Eleven Confessions (32%), Cumulus (21%), and Molly Aïda (3%)—all estate-owned vineyards. The fermentation included 16% whole clusters, and it was aged for 23 months in 66% new French oak. Gregarious scents of charcoal, lilacs, licorice, and boysenberry preserves swan out of the glass, giving way to hints of wild sage, fragrant earth, and tapenade. The full-bodied palate is bright, pure, and shimmery, delivering a firm frame of fine-grained tannins and bags of freshness, finishing long and minerally. " LPB Aug 2023