2017 Qupe Bien Nacido Hillside Estate Syrah [WE93][W&S92][JD90]

"Aromas of tar, gravel, baked soil and tightly wound boysenberry show on the nose. The palate is savory in tones of seaweed, squid ink and iodine yet rounded by elderberry and toasted sesame." 

"“It smells like fog,” was the first thing I wrote about this wine, Bob Lindquist’s swan song for Qupé, which he left in 2018. It feels cool, with a quiet concentration that seems like a Bien Nacido signature, the fruit grounded by scents of olive, smoke and black pepper. It’s youthful right now; some cellar time should bring it into better balance." 

"Lastly, the 2017 Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside Estate is all Syrah that saw 30% stems and 18 months in 20% new French oak. It has a richer, riper bouquet of blackberries, ground pepper, leather, and sappy herbs. This carries to a medium to full-bodied wine with good acidity, a focused, mouthfilling texture, ripe tannins, and solid length. It should keep for a solid decade." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"On the nose, there are enticing aromas of star anise, forest floor, and black licorice together with perfumed violets and dark ripe raspberry. This captivating nose is followed by mouth-filling flavors of juicy blackberry and sweet cinnamon and nutmeg rounded out by a full body, soft tannins, and elegant acidity, as the fruit flavors ease into a subtle roasted coffee and sweet vanilla finish."