Deep purple-black colored, the 2020 Grenache Distenta II charges out, swinging punchy scents of blackberry pie, black cherry cordial, molten licorice, dark chocolate, and candied violets, plus wafts of Sichuan pepper and beef drippings. The full-bodied palate is a powerhouse of red and black fruit layers with super plush tannins and a wonderfully lively backbone to lift the concentrated, floral sparked layers to an epically long, perfumed finish.
98-100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Aug 2022)
The 2020 Grenache Distenta II is a blend of mostly 78% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and a tiny splash of Viognier. It's a ripe, sexy, insanely good barrel sample that has remarkable purity, tons of black raspberry and cassis fruits, perfect balance, full-bodied richness, and an already complex bouquet of violets, spice, and flowers. I continue to be blown away by what this estate seems to achieve with Grenache in just about every vintage.
97-100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2022)
Still in barrel, the 2020 Grenache Distenta 11 is a blend of 77.9% Grenache, 9.4% Mourvèdre, 7.9% Syrah, 4.3% Petite Sirah and 0.5% Viognier. Fruit comes entirely from the Krankls' estate vineyards: Eleven Confessions (40%), Cumulus (33%), The Third Twin (21%) and Molly Aïda (6%). It was made with 29% whole clusters, predominantly Grenache. "Ten years ago, I was afraid of whole clusters," Manfred Krankl recalls. "Now, I quite like it, especially on Grenache, a little less so on Syrah." Matured about 23 months in 52% new French oak and demi-muids, it has a deep ruby-purple color and slowly opening scents of wild berry jam, burnt orange peel, black tea leaves and coffee beans. The palate is full-bodied yet light on its feet, with juicy, floral flavors and a dreamy texture woven from loads and loads of super-fine tannins. It's due to be bottled in the summer of 2022 and will be released in the spring of 2023. Around 1,630 cases and 600 magnums will be made.
97-99 points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (May 2022)
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