Qupe’s Bob Lindquist planted some of the first Rhone varietals in California at the Bien Nacido Hillside Estate vineyard in the 1990s and became known as one of founding ‘Rhone Rangers’, proving that those varietals could succeed in the Santa Maria valley. A pale straw colour, this aromatic wine shows its perfume off to the full. Aromas of pear, lemon peel, toasted almond, baguette crumb, apricot and honeysuckle waft from the glass. Softly textured, but balanced with zesty acidity, with a prickle of phenolics and fruit tannin sneaking through the back of the palate. A minor oak note is there too, adding depth and suits the style very well – rich and complex. 93pts
Qupe Bien Nacido Roussanne 2009
