Tasting Notes
Jeb Dunnuck 98-100
Not yet bottled, the 2019 Syrah Distenta 1 checks in as 83.6% Syrah, 6.2% Grenache, 5.2% Petite Sirah, and the rest Mourvèdre, Muscat, and Petit Manseng. A full-bodied, seductive, incredibly sexy wine that’s just about overflowing with fruit, its deep purple color is followed by beautiful cassis and darker berry fruits as well as notes of smoke game, pepper, and spring flowers. The tannins are polished, and it has a great mid-palate as well as one heck of a great finish. Due to the difficulty in trademarking names today, the estate has settled on using the name Distenta for their normal Syrah going forward. Luckily though, the incredible artwork on the labels will continue.
Robert Parker 98+
The 2019 Syrah Distenta I comes entirely from the Krankls’ estate vineyards: 35% from The Third Twin, 33% from Eleven Confessions, 31% from Cumulus and 1% from Molly Aïda. It is a blend of 83.6% Syrah, 6.2% Grenache, 5.2% Petite Sirah, 3% Mourvèdre and 2% white grapes (1.4% Muskat and 0.6% Petit Manseng). Fermented with 33% whole clusters and matured for 23 months in 43% new French oak, it has an opaque purple-black color and takes plenty of time in the glass to reveal a core of cassis and accents of sage, lavender, tar and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and still youthfully coiled. It has a fine, grainy texture, fresh acidity and a long, floral finish. Bottled on July 29, 2021, and tasted on May 24, 2022, 1,999 cases and 600 magnums are set to be released in the spring of 2022.
Anticipated maturity: 2025-2040