SINE QUA NON - Distenta II - Syrah 2020
Sine Qua Non is located in California , just north of Los Angeles in Ventura County , with several vineyards in Santa Barbara while the main vineyard and winery are based in Oak View . The first vintage of Sine Qua Non dates back to 1994, when Austrian-born winemaker Manfred Krankl released three barrels of Syrah named “Queen of Spades” with a label he had designed himself. Krankl sent a bottle to Robert Parker, who promptly gave the wine 95 points. The brand run by Manfred Krankl and his wife Elaine has achieved cult status since its beginnings; small volumes mean demand constantly exceeds supply.
Distenta II Syrah is mainly composed of Syrah (82.9%), accompanied by Grenache (7.5%), Mourvèdre (3.9%), Petite Sirah (3.4%), Muscat (1.5%) and Petit Manseng (0.8%) . The grapes come from four vineyards; The Third Twin Estate Vineyard (43%), Eleven Confessions (33%), Cumulus (21%) and Molly Aïda (3%). 16% of the grapes are fermented as a whole bunch. The wine was aged for 23 months in French oak barrels , 66% of which are new.
Grape varieties: 82.9% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, 3.9% Mourvèdre, 3.4% Petite Sirah, 1.5% Muscat, 0.8% Petit Manseng