Distenta IV Grenache 2022

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.

Jeb Dunnuck – Rated 96-98:

The Grenache Distenta IV 2022 is another ripe, opulent, and seductive wine from this vintage, which will undoubtedly rank among the very best. Black raspberries, ground pepper, herbs de Provence, and sandalwood are just a few of its nuances. It is full-bodied, rich, concentrated, and has a velvety texture on the palate. This is an exceptional wine, composed of 78% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 7.3% Mourvèdre, with the remainder being Petite Sirah and white grape varieties.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) – Rated 97:

Let's move on to the barrel-aged reds: the 2022 Grenache Distenta IV is another ripe, opulent, and seductive wine from this vintage, which will undoubtedly rank among the very best. Black raspberries, ground pepper, Provençal herbs, and sandalwood are just a few of its nuances. It is full-bodied, rich, concentrated, and has a velvety texture on the palate. This is an exceptional wine, composed of 78% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 7.3% Mourvèdre, with the remainder being Petite Sirah and white grape varieties.

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.