Sine Qua Non, Distenta V White, Central Coast, California, 2023

Overview of the Wine
Sine Qua Non was created after the 1994 harvest of a Bien Nacido Syrah named “The Queen of Spades”. Winemaker Manfred Krankl feels strongly that each vintage is a completely unique wine and thus he gives each wine a unique name. He also creates the artwork for each new label himself. Previously, Manfred had made wines with Bryan Babcock and John Alban and still sources much of his fruit from Alban’s vineyard. The basic white wines have always been a white blend of Chardonnay, Roussanne and Viognier and a red wine based on Syrah plus Grenache. Sometimes there are small quantities of Rose and a Grenache-based red.

Sine Qua Non has its own winemaking facility in Ventura, California not far from the Santa Barbara vineyards where the fruit is sourced from. In the last few years Manfred and his wife, Elaine, have begun creating their own vineyards dedicated to Rhone varietals. Their winemaking philosophy is to work in very small batches, gravity flow, natural yeasts (unless a fermentation problem is anticipated), long lees aging for the whites and repeated racking for the reds to open them up. This is a modified explanation of a very dedicated and artistic approach to winemaking. The wines are simultaneously very rich and elegant, superbly balanced and thoroughly harmonious with food, never overwhelming.

Grape / Blend
Roussanne-led Rhône white blend

Origin
Ventura, Central Coast, California

Tasting Notes
Textural. Exotic. A richly layered Rhône-style white crafted with Sine Qua Non's signature precision and opulence.

Distenta V White continues the estate's tradition of producing some of California's most compelling and age-worthy white blends. Built around Roussanne and complemented by other Rhône varieties, the 2023 release offers depth, aromatic lift, and a luxurious mouthfeel that reflects the meticulous craftsmanship of Sine Qua Non.

Honeyed pear, apricot, and Meyer lemon. White flowers, almond cream, and subtle spice. Full, layered palate with SQN's trademark texture. Long, mineral-tinged finish with vibrant acidity.

Roussanne-driven richness balanced by bright aromatics. Complex, multi-varietal structure typical of SQN whites. Micro-production and extremely limited allocations. Built for both early opulence and graceful aging.

98 Points - The Wine Palate (2022 Vintage: Distenta IV)
The 2022 White Wine Distenta IV is composed of 15% Chardonnay, 10% Viognier, 30% Gelber Muskateller, 32% Roussanne, and 13% Petit Manseng. It comes predominantly from Eleven Confessions Vineyard, with smaller proportions from The Third Twin (8%) and Cumulus (28%). It was aged in French oak puncheons and demi-muids for months, with 75% new oak. WOW - an amazing perfume erupts from the glass of orange blossoms, juicy white peaches, honeycomb, and allspice, followed by hints of baking bread and mango pudding. The full-bodied palate delivers a fantastically satiny texture offset by amazing tension with a myriad of super-intense tropical and orchard fruit flavors, finishing with epic length.

Product size: 750ml