Qupé
Alisos Vineyard Syrah
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, USA
As someone who hasn’t had a lot of California syrahs, this struck me as well balanced and built for long life. At 13% abv not at all opulent. That said, a lot bigger more aggressive dark and brooding than I would have expected, especially 8 years in. Black olive tapenade, dark chocolate, espresso, black tea, black plum, dark fruits, black pepper. Underlying hints of smoke and maybe even a floral note. Has an attractive spicyness and pepper flavor to it and finishes with both pepper spice and chewy tannins that still feel quite young. Acidity really nice, but still overwhelmed by that chewy tannin mouthfeel. Not sure if this has yet to uncoil or maybe never will. It’s delicious as is, it is there more? Hope to find out!
As someone who hasn’t had a lot of California syrahs, this struck me as well balanced and built for long life. At 13% abv not at all opulent. That said, a lot bigger more aggressive dark and brooding than I would have expected, especially 8 years in. Black olive tapenade, dark chocolate, espresso, black tea, black plum, dark fruits, black pepper. Underlying hints of smoke and maybe even a floral note. Has an attractive spicyness and pepper flavor to it and finishes with both pepper spice and chewy tannins that still feel quite young. Acidity really nice, but still overwhelmed by that chewy tannin mouthfeel. Not sure if this has yet to uncoil or maybe never will. It’s delicious as is, it is there more? Hope to find out!
Apr 6th, 2019