ShopRite Wines & Spirits

This is a 100% handcrafted wine that comes from a number of vineyards in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Vineyard sites are primarily Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, French Camp Vineyard in Paso Robles, our own Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard in the Edna Valley (Demeter Certi#ed Biodynamic) and the organic Ibarra-Young Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley (a vineyard that we have farmed ourselves since 1986).

From the Wine Maker – “Qupé is the local Native American Chumash word for California poppy and Maxtap is the Chumash word for “to weave” or in this case “to blend”. This wine is a blend of 64% Syrah, 18% Grenache, 15% Tempranillo and 3% Mourvedre. This is a wine that works well with foods that would normally be served with a rich red. With its soft tannins, plump fruit and spices this wine works well by itself as well. The aromas and flavors show nice berry fruit and dried cherry with hints of tobacco and wild herbs. This wine is not meant to take up cellar space but if you are so inclined should continue to age nicely for 5-8 years.”

Rating:

This wine has not been rated.

Availability:

2011 vintage in a 750 ml – Standard Bottle is currently in stock at Byram and Hackettstown for $17.99 a bottle, $97.15 a 1/2 case with a 10% half case discount, and $172.71 a case with a 20% full case discount. SKU#30627

A smaller crop of fruit at the Bien Nacido Vineyard in 2011 due to poor weather during fruit set led to a couple of tweaks to this vintage of “Y” Block Chardonnay. The 2011 contains 10% Chardonnay from the La Presa Vineyard in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley as well 8% Chenin Blanc from the White Hills Vineyard in Santa Barbara County, to supplement the Bien Nacido fruit. All of the lots were barrel fermented and allowed to go through complete malolactic fermentation, and they were then aged for nine months sur lie before racking and bottling. The result is a wine with the crisp, fresh character of the cool vintage, but with a lovely richness on the mid-palate. Its structure leads us to think that it will age nicely, though its fresh acidity makes it a delightful match at the table.

From the Wine Maker – “Great balance with bright acidity are the trademark of this wine. It is barrel fermented in 25% new François Fréres Burgundy barrels which frame the crisp apple and Asian pear flavors with a lovely savory, buttered toast finish.”

Try it with pomegranate and butternut squash salad.

Rating:

This wine was previously given a 88 point rating by Wine Spectator.

Availability:

2011 vintage in a 750 ml – Standard Bottle is currently in stock at Byram and Hackettstown for $17.99 a bottle, $97.15 a 1/2 case with a 10% half case discount, and $172.71 a case with a 20% full case discount. SKU#30632