The 2021 Distenta III White from Sine Qua Non, the cult Ventura County winery of Manfred and Elaine Krankl. It is a rich, perfumed blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Gelber Muskateller, Roussanne and Petit Manseng, and it drew very high scores from US critics.
About This Wine
The Distenta series began with the 2019 vintage. This third white blends 33% Chardonnay, 27% Viognier, 24% Gelber Muskateller, 12% Roussanne and 4% Petit Manseng, with the last two co-fermented. The fruit is mainly from Eleven Confessions, with some from The Third Twin and Cumulus. It spent 23 months in French puncheons and demi-muids, a little over half new, with long lees stirring for texture. Jeb Dunnuck scored it 100 points, with 94 from Vinous and 93 from the Wine Advocate.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Ripe peach, apricot, citrus oil, white flowers, ginger and toasted brioche.
- Palate: Full-bodied and creamy, with polished stone fruit and passion fruit and a tangy line of acidity.
- Finish: Long and perfumed, with spice and lemon confit.
Serving & Food
This white opens with air, so pour it into a Burgundy glass at 10 to 12°C and let it sit a while. It is good now and through to about 2034. Lobster in butter, roast chicken with morels or a Thai green curry with prawns will match its richness.
How to Enjoy
SQN followers and lovers of full, aromatic white wines. A strong choice for a celebratory dinner.
Product Details
Producer: Sine Qua Non
Wine: Distenta III White
Country: USA
Region: California (Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties)
Vintage: 2021
Grape Variety / Blend: 33% Chardonnay, 27% Viognier, 24% Gelber Muskateller, 12% Roussanne, 4% Petit Manseng
Ageing: 23 months in French puncheons and demi-muids, about 52% new
Volume: 750mL
About the Winery
Sine Qua Non is the Ventura County winery of Manfred and Elaine Krankl. Manfred, born in Austria, ran the wine side of the Los Angeles restaurant Campanile and co-founded La Brea Bakery before the couple released their first wine in 1994, a few barrels of Syrah labelled Queen of Spades. For years every release carried a new name and a label drawn by Manfred himself, and the wines sell almost entirely to a long-waiting mailing list.
Early vintages relied on bought-in fruit from growers such as Alban and Bien Nacido. The Krankls planted their first estate site, Eleven Confessions in the Sta. Rita Hills, in 2001, later adding Cumulus at their home in Oak View and The Third Twin near Los Alamos. Yields are tiny, harvests often run into November, and the wines are Rhône-inspired blends aged at length in French oak.