Cracked this one last night:
1. Qupe a modern red Blend CentralCoast RW (Syrah/grenache/Mourvedre; 13.5%) SantaMaria 2013: Med.color; strong very spicy/Syrah/blackberry/bit peppery some floral/violets bit plummy/strawberry/Grenache quite aromatic bright/lively lovely nose; slightly tart/lean/metallic quite spicy/Syrah/blackberry/strawberry/Grenache bright/zippy slight earthy/dusty very attractive flavor w/ light/gentle tannins; very long briight/lively slightly tart rather blackberry/Syrah/strawberry/Grenache/plummy slight earthy finish w/ light/gentle tannins; not a profound Qupe but just a lip-smackin' delish Rhone blend at a great price. $16.00 (Prima IlC)
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. This showed up in my Prima IlConsorzia shipment ystrday. Whazzat?? It says "Qupe" on the label....but the label looks wrong. This is a new wine from Bob...so new that it's not even on their WebSite (www.Qupe.com) yet. Priced just below the CentralCoast Syrah and MaxTap Cuvee, both of which are more serious wines and speak more of Qupe. This is a very high-toned/aromatic Rhone blend that is a very pretty wine. It should be on every restaurant wine list across this GreatNation. I don't see it developing a whole lot in the btl, but who knows?? Bob's wines are impeccably balanced and have this uncanny knack of rising up and biting you on the a$$ down the road w/ a bit of btl age. I have my doubts, but you never know.
I have, of course, followed BobLindquist from the very start...the '82 PasoRobles Syrah. With more vnyds to draw from, including the Sawyer-Lindquist/EdnaVlly, I think he's making the best wines he ever has in his 30+ yr career. They just are totally scorned back in Monktown. There was some concern in some parts about the sale of Qupe to CharlesBanks/TerroirEstates. I think us Qupe fans have nothing to fear.
Tom