Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Scheduled to be bottled relatively soon, the 2021 Grenache Distenta III (79% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre, and the rest Petite Sirah and a splash of white varieties) offers a full-bodied, concentrated, yet pure and elegant profile as well as gorgeous aromatics of ripe darker cherries, blackberries, peppery herbs, violets, and assorted floral nuances. From a cooler year, it still brings beautiful depth and richness, silky tannins, and a great finish.
Barrel Sample: 97-99 -
Vinous
The 2021 Grenache Distenta III is one of the most refined wines I have tasted from Sine Qua Non. Floral aromatics make a strong first impression. There's plenty of SQN richness, but also less overt opulence than most vintages. I tasted this from a tank sample just prior to bottling. The 2021 is simply magnificent. I can't wait to taste it from bottle.
Barrel Sample: 96-99 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Based around the Eleven Confessions Vineyard with inclusions from The Third Twin and Cumulus, the 2021 Grenache Distenta III includes 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, and 3.2% Petite Sirah with dollops of Petit Manseng and Muscat. The nose here is on the focused and precise side of the roster, driven by vibrant but ripe, extravagant red fruits and aromas of fennel, black pepper and underbrush with touches of alcoholic heat. The palate echoes this relative elegance with a rich yet energetic texture that leads to an herbal, initially latent and reticent finish that expands with further aeration. Again, as found throughout this roster, the wines are undeniably impressive and even admirable in their singular nature. Still, it is impossible to ignore the wine's intrusive alcoholic payload and how this affects its overall balance.
California is a winemaking colossus; by itself it is the fourth largest producer in the world. Red wine accounts for 56% of the total by volume, and red grapes 63% of total acres planted. In addition, a number of California red wines are heralded as being among the most prestigious and sought-after wines in the world.
While the state’s incredibly diverse geography, soils and microclimates allow for a wide array of styles, the key factor unifying California red wine is the abundance of sunshine and a long, consistent growing season. This leads to well-developed fruit marked both by impressive ripeness and balancing acidity.
The state’s most famous red wine region, of course, is Napa Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon reigns as king. But California boasts a wealth of other impressive appellations. The much larger and climatically varied Sonoma County also produces world class California Cabernet, along with wonderful examples of California Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.
Fine versions of Cabernet and Zinfandel hail from Paso Robles as well, which is also gaining fame with Rhone varietals like Syrah and Grenache. As for Pinot Noir, terrific examples can be found from AVA’s such as Anderson Valley, Carneros, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills. Wineries in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties are making wonderful Syrahs, and the Sierra Foothill appellations are proving to be an experimental hotbed, with Italian and Spanish varietals employed to great effect.
This of course is a mere sketch. The subject of California red wine is as deep and broad as an ocean, and absolutely a joy to explore!