Sine Qua Non Distenta I Grenache 2019 | 750 ml.

JD98+ Jeb Dunnuck 8/26/2021

"Not yet bottled, the 2019 Grenache Ditenta 1 (which is the new name for the classic Grenache of the estate and means “unlabeled” in Latin) sports a dense purple hue as well as a flamboyant, exotic, complex nose of black raspberries, flowery incense, pepper, and spice. It’s incredibly layered and elegant, yet still has classic Sine Qua Non opulence and texture. It’s a brilliant Grenache in the making. (Jeb Dunnuck)" (98–100 pts.)

RP99 Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate 31st May 2022

"The 2019 Grenache Distenta I is composed of 76% Grenache, 9.3% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 2.4% Viognier. It was fermented with 43.5% whole clusters (predominantly Grenache) and matured for 23 months in 26.5% new French oak. Deep ruby-purple in color, it explodes with scents of crushed blackberries and blueberries, tar, coffee beans, cracked pepper and thyme. The full-bodied palate has a frame of grainy tannins, seamless acidity and layer after layer of spicy and floral fruit. It has a latency that suggests it will continue to develop for many years in bottle. 1,536 cases and 600 magnums will be released in the spring of 2022. This 2019 is made almost entirely from estate fruit — just 15% comes from the Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. The rest of the fruit comes from estate vineyards The Third Twin (39%), Eleven Confessions (32%), Cumulus (11%) and Molly Aïda (3%)." (99 pts.)