The 2022 Syrah Distenta IV comes from three estate vineyards: 45% Eleven Confessions, 36% The Third Twin, and 19% Cumulus Estate. It is a blend of 82.7% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 5% Petite Sirah, 3.3% Mourvèdre, and dollops of Petit Manseng and Muscat. It was fermented with 31% whole clusters and was matured for 23 months in French oak, 56.2% new. Opaque purple-black in color, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notes of black cherry compote, lilacs, licorice, and raspberry coulis, followed by hints of blood orange and menthol. The full-bodied palate has a firm backbone of beautifully ripe, rounded tannins and excellent tension to support the dense, muscular black fruits, finishing with lingering minerals and peppery sparks. 1315 cases and 360 magnums were made.
98 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Sep 2024)
The 2022 Syrah Distenta IV is a potent, tightly wound wine. Interestingly, the Syrah is also much less accessible than the Grenache in this vintage. Readers will have to be patient with the Distenta IV as it is not all forthcoming, its notable textural richness notwithstanding. I tasted the 2022 from a sample prepared just prior to bottling. I expect the finished wine to be more giving. Dollops of Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Muscat and Petit Manseng round out the blend. The last pick was on October 31.
96+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Aug 2024)