Sine Qua Non Distenta Syrah 2020

8 reviews for Sine Qua Non Distenta Syrah 2020

1. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Susie Tolbert – January 28, 2023

   High acidity, fresh, layered tannins, blueberries, bacon fat, white pepper, sweet spice. Refined, needs age. Drink 2026.

2. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Robert Wireman – January 29, 2023

   Grenache is better integrated than the angular Syrah. Both offer ripe blackberry, smoke, leather, clove, dried herbs and mineral. Young, so a few points upside.

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Bettie Valencia – February 18, 2023

   Sine qua non 2020: Explosive florals, blackberry, black plum, licorice, vanilla, mineral finish. 5-hour decant, fantastic with food, utterly delicious.

4. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Joanne Nesbit – February 18, 2023

   Enjoyable but less exuberant than previous years.

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Francisco Lockman – March 23, 2023

   Great Syrah. Decanted for 5 hours. Marionberry and cassis on the nose. Big black fruit and soft tannin on the palate. Perfect balance of alcohol and fruit.

6. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   WA – May 24, 2023

   Still in barrel, the 2020 Syrah Distenta II is a blend of 82.9% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, 3.9% Mourvedre, 3.4% Petite Sirah and 2.3% white (1.5% Muskat and 0.8% Petit Manseng, to be precise). It comes entirely from estate vineyards: The Third Twin (43%), Eleven Confessions (32%), Cumulus (21%) and Molly Aida (3%). It was fermented with 16% whole clusters and matured for about 23 months in 66% new French oak. “I like whole cluster less on Syrah,” Manfred Krankl explains. “It can be more herbal. But these 2020s are much more fleshy and unctuous, so it shows better.” Opaque purple black in color, it features aromas of cassis and blueberries, charcuterie, lavender and coffee beans, changing continually as it spends time in the glass. The full-bodied palate boasts tremendous floral perfume, a frame of rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant.

7. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   JD – May 24, 2023

   Tons of red, blue, and black fruits as well as peppery herbs and liquid violet-like nuances emerge from the 2020 Syrah Distenta II, a full-bodied, concentrated, remarkably balanced barrel sample that’s based on 83% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Muscat, and Petit Manseng. I love its mid-palate, it has ripe, sweet tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It’s unquestionably a brilliant wine in the making.

8. 

   VIN – May 24, 2023

   The 2020 Syrah Distenta II has turned out beautifully. Rich and ample, with tremendous depth, the 2020 dazzles from start to finish. Black cherry, plum, licorice, incense and mocha all meld together effortlessly. The 16% whole clusters are present, but nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. Dollops of Muscat and Petit Manseng (instead of Roussanne) add an exotic flair. It’s a stunning 2020. I tasted it from tank, fully assembled, just prior to bottling.