SINE QUA NON - Distenta II - Grenache 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 Grenache is mainly composed of Grenache (77.9%), accompanied by Mourvèdre (9.4%), Syrah (7.9%), Petite Sirah (4.3%) and Viognier (0.5%). The grapes come from four vineyards; Eleven Confessions (40%), Cumulus (33%), The Third Twin Estate Vineyard (21%) and Molly Aïda (6%). 29.1% of the grapes are fermented as a whole cluster. The wine was aged for 23 months in French oak barrels , 52.1% of which are new.
Grape varieties: 77.9% Grenache, 9.4% Mourvèdre, 7.9% Syrah, 4.3% Petite Sirah, 0.5% Viognier