Qupe tasting

Qupe tasting at West Coast Wine and Cheese on Union street, San Francisco.

Qupe was founded in 1982 in California by Bob Lindquist.
They make Rhone style wines with grapes from their vineyards in Central Coast: Bien Nacido Vineyard is in Santa Maria Valley and farmed sustainably, biodynamically farmed Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard is in Edna Valley, and Ibarra-Young Vineyard is in Santa Ynes Valley and farmed organically.

First, tasting of current releases.

Gentleman behind the bottles is Mr. Bob Lindquist

Chardonnay Bien Nacido Block Eleven 2014
Key lime and lemon.

Grenache Sawyer Lindquist 2013
Dry flower and orange zest.

Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside 2013
Meaty and smoky.

Syrah Sawyer Lindquist 2014
Pink pepper cone, white chocolate and berry.

Syrah Sonnies Sawyer Lindquist 2013
Dry red flower, cherry, herb and smokiness.

They were all good, but library releases were gorgeous!

Grenache Purisima Mountain Vineyard 2007
Chamomile and herb.

Syrah Alisos Vineyard 2007
Pink grapefruit, blood orange and ginger.

Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside 2007
Blackberry and spice. Fine tannin.

Chardonnay Bien Nacido Block Eleven 2007
Tropical fruit, button mushroom, caramel and sweet tobacco.

Syrah Alisos Vineyard 2007
Strawberry, plum, herb and rhubarb.

Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside X Block 2005
Herb, allspice, tobacco and sausage.

I still remember the first time I tasted Qupe, its fruit and black pepper, 13 years ago.
I hadn't had Qupe after that - with no specific reason, maybe I just took the wine for granted since Qupe was very popular and could be found anywhere - and forgot how good their wine was.
It's always good to revisit.