Distenta V Syrah is Sine Qua Non's 2023 Syrah-led red. Nearly half of it came from The Third Twin vineyard this year, and it is dark and peppery, with the brightness of a cooler vintage.
About This Wine
The blend is 85.8% Syrah, 5.5% Grenache, 3.7% Petite Sirah and 3.3% Mourvèdre, plus 1.3% Petit Manseng and 0.4% Muscat. It comes from The Third Twin, Cumulus and Eleven Confessions. Only 11% whole clusters were used, less than in 2022, and the wine was aged 23 months in French oak, 63% new. It is bottled at 15.8%. Critics scored it highly from barrel, with 96 to 98 from Jeb Dunnuck and 98 to 100 from Vinous.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Blackberry, blueberry and black plum, with violet, cracked pepper, leather and exotic spice.
- Palate: Full-bodied and focused, with intense dark fruit, firm, grainy tannins and good freshness.
- Finish: Long and perfumed, with pepper and crushed rock.
Serving & Food
Give it two hours in a decanter or, better, three to five years in the cellar. Serve at 16 to 18°C in a large-bowled glass; it should drink well into the 2040s. Match with peppered ribeye, venison, or black pepper beef.
How to Enjoy
Syrah fans who like a darker, peppery style, and bottles to lay down.
Product Details
Producer: Sine Qua Non
Country: USA
Region: Central Coast, California
Wine: Distenta V Syrah
Vintage: 2023
Blend: 85.8% Syrah, 5.5% Grenache, 3.7% Petite Sirah, 3.3% Mourvèdre, 1.3% Petit Manseng, 0.4% Muscat
Vineyards: The Third Twin, Cumulus, Eleven Confessions
Élevage: 23 months, French oak (63% new)
ABV: 15.8%
Volume: 750mL
About the Winery
The Third Twin is the Krankls' vineyard in Los Alamos, in northern Santa Barbara County. Its wines first appeared from the 2014 vintage, sold under their own label with a separate customer list, including a rare Graciano.
The Next of Kyn label, started in 2007, does the same for the Cumulus vineyard around the Oak View home estate. Fruit from both sites now also goes into the Sine Qua Non blends, and The Third Twin supplied close to half of this Distenta V Syrah.