Sine Qua Non Syrah ‘Distenta III’ 2021

Sine Qua Non (Latin for ‘absolutely indispensable’) was founded in 1994 by Austrian emigrant Manfred Krankl and his wife Elaine. The winery quickly achieved cult status due to its bold, unique approach to winemaking, which includes giving each vintage a different, often whimsical, name and a unique bottle shape and label designed by Krankl himself. Their philosophy is to understand and react to ‘Mother Nature’s often oblique ways’ to create wines that are ripe, flavourful, graceful, and balanced, all while striving for continuous improvement.

Wine Description

This red wine is a Syrah-dominant blend, with the final varietal composition being 81.7% to 82% Syrah, 11% to 11.3% Grenache, and the balance a mix of Mourvdre, Petite Sirah, Petit Manseng, and Muscat. It pours an opaque ruby-purple or deep garnet-black colour. The complex aroma requires coaxing, eventually revealing notes of blackberry preserves, kirsch, red roses, black and red cherries, Turkish Delight, and violets, layered with savory undertones of bacon fat, tar, licorice, ground pepper, and espresso. The palate is full-bodied, yet exceptionally light on its feet, with incredible purity and vibrant, defined fruit flavours. The body is supported by firm, velvety, fine-grained tannins and bold freshness. Stylistically, it is noted for its statuesque energy, flawless balance, and a floral-laced, shimmery finish with epic length. The optimal drinking window is estimated to be 15 to 20 years, with the wine capable of long cellar ageing.

Accolades

• ‘Robert Parkers Wine Advocate’ 100 points

• ‘Wine Independent’ 100 points

• ‘Jeb Dunnuck’ 99 points

Food Pairing

Given the wines powerful, intense, and rich profile, it is well-suited to robust, flavourful dishes. Suggested pairings include lamb, or heartier options such as mature ribeye steak (cte de buf mature), Peking duck, or wild boar stew (civet de sanglier). A perfect match to enhance the wines complexity.