Distenta III Syrah 2021

Sine Qua Non is arguably California’s most “ cult ” winery . Their wines are extremely rare , produced in small quantities , sometimes only a few barrels. Needless to say , you have to sign up for a waiting list to get their hands on them . Another important feature is that the estate is owned by iconoclastic Austrian artist and restaurateur Manfred Krakl . Krakl founded the winery with his wife , Elaine , in 1994 in Västura , California, a town an hour north of Los Angeles. Each wine tells a story , has a different name and a unique label , created of course by Manfred himself.

Jeb Dunnuck – Rated 97-99:

Scheduled to be bottled in August, the 2021 Syrah Distenta III looks set to be another incredibly good Syrah from Krankl. Made from 82% Syrah, 11% Grenache and the remainder Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah and a handful of white grapes, its deep purple hue is followed by classic cool-climate Syrah notes of smoky dark fruits, iron, black olives and meaty, peppery undertones. Incredibly pure, full-bodied richness and perfectly integrated tannins and acidity, it will last 15-20 years. This is an absolutely magical Syrah in the making.

Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) – Rated 98+: 

I tasted the 2021 Distenta III Syrah in barrel blend on July 6—it’s scheduled to be bottled in August. It’s sourced from three estate vineyards: The Third Twin (51%), Cumulus (26%), and 23% Eleven Confessions (23%). The Syrah is blended with 11.3% Grenache, 3.3% Mourvèdre, 2.1% Petite Sirah, 0.9% Petit Manseng, and 0.7% Muscat, and was vinified from 21% whole clusters. It aged for about 23 months in 53% new French oak, 43% one- to three-year-old barrels, and 4% concrete. Opaque ruby ​​purple in the glass, the Distenta III’s aromatic complexity demands a great deal of patience, as a singular truffle, earth and coffee bean character gives way to electric streaks of crème de violette, blueberry liqueur and peppermint patty. The palate is medium to full-bodied and exceptionally light on its feet. It slides silkily across the palate with a firework of freshness, its floral fruit tempered by graphite tones. Approximately 1,880 cases and 600 magnums are expected to be released in January 2024.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors to California that boosted the California wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Sonoma and Napa region. At the start of the 20th century, there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933 Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the California wine industry so that by 1933, only 140 wineries remained producing wine. It was only from 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition and California was primarily known for the production of fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous estates were created (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc...). In 1976, a significant event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgment of Paris". He sees the greatest French wines opposing the new American wines. This May 24, an unexpected result shakes the world of wine, since to everyone's surprise, it is the United States which wins. However, this competition remains relatively unknown to the general public. Today, there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Even though California largely monopolizes the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and the state of Washington offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet-Sauvignon.