Distenta I Syrah 2019

Sine Qua Non is arguably California's most cult producer . Its wines are extremely rare , produced in small quantities , sometimes only a few barrels. Needless to say , you have to join a waiting list to get your hands on them . Another important characteristic is that the estate is owned by the iconoclastic Austrian artist and restaurateur Manfred Krakl . Krakl founded the winery with his wife , Elaine, in 1994 in Ventura , California, a city 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.

Wine Advocate (Robert Parker) – Rated 100: 

The 2019 Syrah Distenta I is sourced entirely from the Krankls estate vineyards: 35% The Third Twin, 33% Eleven Confessions, 31% Cumulus, and 1% Molly Aïda. It is a blend of 83.6% Syrah, 6.2% Grenache, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 3% Mourvèdre, and 2% white grape varieties (1.4% Muscat and 0.6% Petit Manseng). Made with 33% whole clusters and aged for 23 months in 43% new French oak barrels, this wine displays an opaque color with purple highlights. It requires extended aeration to reveal a core of blackcurrant and notes of sage, lavender, tar, and coffee. The palate is concentrated and ample, bursting with crisp, vibrant black, blue, and red fruits. Its solid structure, supported by firm and fine tannins, and its harmonious freshness, enhance its subtle nuances and extend into a long and vibrant finish.

Jeb Dunnuck – Rated 98+:

The 2019 Syrah Distenta I is brilliant, and undoubtedly one of the best Syrahs of this vintage. Boasting an intense, almost opaque ruby ​​color, it offers superb aromas typical of Syrah: a variety of red and blackberry fruits, bacon, smoked meat, and an incredible floral character that develops with aeration. On the palate, it is medium-bodied to full-bodied, but more elegant and subtle than the Sine Qua Non of yesteryear. It reveals perfect balance, remarkable freshness and elegance, silky tannins, and an exceptionally long finish. Still young, it requires extended decanting before drinking (this bottle revealed its full potential on the second day, when it was opened). It will benefit from aging for 4 to 5 years in the bottle and can then be cellared for up to 20 years.

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.