99 points - limited                    
Limited new wine from cult producer Sine Qua Non.

100 Points The Wine Palate: "The Sine Qua Non 2023 Grenache Distenta V comes from four estate vineyards: 42.2% Cumulus Estate, 28.2% Eleven Confessions, 24.5% The Third Twin, and 5.1% Molly Aida. 81.8% Grenache is blended with 7.7% Syrah, 8.6% Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah, plus dashes of Muscat and Petit Manseng. The fermentation was performed with 25.4% whole cluster, mainly Grenache. It was aged 23 months in French oak, mostly larger demi-muids, 57.8% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little swirling to coax out notes of black and red cherries, juicy strawberries, and black raspberries, followed by hints of cinnamon stick, rose bud tea, and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate is plush and juicy with bags of red, black, and blue fruit and plenty of freshness, finishing long and peppery."

98 Points Robert Parker: "Because my visit was scheduled for July 6, just two weeks after bottling on June 22, I tasted the Sine Qua Non Grenache Distenta as a precise blend from barrel. It comes mostly from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard (71%) and The Third Twin (23%) with the balance from the Cumulus Vineyard. It is a blend of 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, 3.2% Petite Sirah, 1.6% Petit Manseng and 0.4% Muscat. The Distenta III was vinified using about 35% whole Grenache clusters, and it matured in 42% new French oak of various sizes for around 23 months. It has a medium to deep ruby color and is incredibly fragrant at this stage. Wild berry jam aromas are accented by tones of wildflower, tar, tangerine and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet lively, bursting with crunchy, floral fruit and surprisingly energetic acidity. It has detailed, grainy tannins and a long, lifted finish that wears its alcohol well. 1,459 cases and 600 magnums are projected, to be released in the spring of 2024."

"There are few greater success stories in wine than that of Sine Qua Non’s Manfred Krankl. Austrian-born and showing up penniless in Los Angeles in 1980, he went on to create one of the greatest wine estates in the world today by sheer talent and work ethic."