An absolute blockbuster of a white as well as a perfect wine, the 2021 Distenta III White offers up a vivid gold hue as well as incredible aromatics of stone fruits, toasted bread, green almond, and fresh croissants. This is no lightweight quaffer, and it brings full-bodied richness and depth while at the same time staying flawlessly balanced, light on its feet, pure, and precise. This heavenly white will benefit from a year in bottle and, I suspect, have over a decade of prime drinking, although I see no need to push the aging curve. The blend is 33% Chardonnay, 27% Viognier, 24% Gelber Muskateller, 12% Roussanne, and the rest Petit Manseng, with the élevage spanning 23 months in 53% new oak.
100 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2024)
The 2021 White Wine Distenta III is composed of 33% Chardonnay, 27% Viognier, 24% Gelber Muskateller, 12% Roussanne, and 4% Petit Manseng. It comes predominately from Eleven Confessions Vineyard (79%), with small proportions from The Third Twin and Cumulus. It was aged in mainly French oak puncheons and demi-muids for 23 months, with 52% new oak. “The longer these whites are in barrel, the better I like them,” says Manfred Krankl. It waltzes out of the glass with showy scents of ripe apricots, honey-drizzled pears, apple butter, and orange blossoms, giving way to hints of allspice, candied ginger, and almond croissant. The full-bodied palate explodes with orchard fruit and baking spice flavor layers, framed by a racy backbone and creamy texture, finishing very long with a gingery lift. 914 cases made.
99 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Sep 2024)
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