2022 Sine Qua Non, SQN, Distenta IV Grenache & Syrah Assortment Case, California, Case of 2 Magnum [Syrah & Grenache]

LP99 "The 2022 Grenache Distenta IV comes from three estate vineyards: 35.3% Eleven Confessions, 35.3% The Third Twin, and 29.4% Cumulus Estate. 78% Grenache is blended with 10% Syrah, 7.3% Mourvèdre, 3% Petite Sirah, plus dashes of Muscat and Petit Manseng. The fermentation was performed with 42.9% whole cluster, mainly Grenache. It was aged 23 months in French oak, mostly larger demi-muids, 16.1% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose bursts with a bold perfume of blackberry preserves, juicy blueberries, and black cherries, followed by suggestions of licorice, black pepper, garigue, and dried lavender. The full-bodied palate delivers beautifully ripe yet firm, fine-grained tannins and great tension to support the boisterous fruit layers, finishing very long and fragrant. Give it 3-4 years to tame the fruit and drink it over the next 15-20 years. 788 cases and 360 magnums were made." LPB for TWI Sep 2024

LP98 "The 2022 Syrah Distenta IV comes from three estate vineyards: 45% Eleven Confessions, 36% The Third Twin, and 19% Cumulus Estate. It is a blend of 82.7% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 5% Petite Sirah, 3.3% Mourvèdre, and dollops of Petit Manseng and Muscat. It was fermented with 31% whole clusters and was matured for 23 months in French oak, 56.2% new. Opaque purple-black in color, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notes of black cherry compote, lilacs, licorice, and raspberry coulis, followed by hints of blood orange and menthol. The full-bodied palate has a firm backbone of beautifully ripe, rounded tannins and excellent tension to support the dense, muscular black fruits, finishing with lingering minerals and peppery sparks. 1315 cases and 360 magnums were made." LPB for TWI Sep 2024

"The 2022 Grenache Distenta IV is dense and full-bodied to the core. Rich, creamy and expansive, the 2022 is quite showy today, but all the elements are so well balanced. Bright red/purplish fruit, blood orange, spice, lavender and mocha are all amplified to the maximum. The inclusion of 43% whole clusters adds complexity and nuance without overpowering the wine. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this positively stellar Grenache from Sine Qua Non. The 2021 is 78% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 7.3% Mourvèdre, 3% Petite Sirah and 1.7% Muscat and Petit Manseng."August 2025 "The 2022 Syrah Distenta IV is a blend of 83% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 5% Petite Sirah, and the rest Mourvèdre and white varieties. It sports a dense purple hue and offers stunning aromatics of ripe blue fruits, framboise, liquid violets, white pepper, game, bouquet garni, and spice. These carry to the palate of a full-bodied Syrah that’s concentrated yet balanced, with a broad, layered mouthfeel, velvety tannins, and a great finish. I was able to follow this bottle over multiple days, and it only improved with air, gaining both complexity and texture. While this is clearly a more accessible vintage compared to the 2021s, it still deserves 3-4 years in bottle and should have 15-20 years of prime drinking given its balance, purity, and harmony." JD September 2025