2003 Qupé Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (13) Avg Score: 90.4 points

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  1/5/2024 - GuanYu Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Opaque ruby red with pink-orange rim. Decent amount of sediments, and a crumbling cork. Cassis, blackberry, blueberry, cedar, mint, leather, Cuban cigar, saddle, herbs, nuts, dark chocolate, violet, mandarin peel, white pepper and mild gaminess. Full bodied, medium-high acidity, medium-high silky tannin, medium-high structure, medium-high alcohol, and very long savory finish. Wine texture was viscous like blood, with restrained sweetness.
  
  This bottle reminded me of a cross between a mature Rayas CDP and Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle, except this Qupe’s palate texture had some rough edges and not as silky as the Rayas or La Chapelle. However, at US$21 a bottle purchased in 2023 (Rayas was going for US$1500-2500 per bottle in contrast), I would say this was my best value bottle of the year!

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  7/21/2019 - Bubbleheads wrote: 92 Points

  Double decanted for about 30 minutes after careful cellaring Wine was very fresh - lots of time left - but probably won’t improve too much. Very thin clear edge. We will probably save our two remaining bottles for at least 2 & 4 years at least, respectively. Wine opened with dark berries wrapped in leather tobacco pouch. It evolved quickly into a beautiful
  Floral, perfumed and garrique nose. Flavors were dark fruit with dark chocolate covered cherries in the mid-palate. Served with grilled rosemary chicken, and Provencial red potatoes. Very nice wine and we can’t wait to see how it evolves over the next 2-10 years

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  4/20/2015 - *Vine* wrote:

  Popped and poured, deep purple-garnet. Pronounced nose of blackberry, pipe tobacco, forest floor and clay-like minerals with hints of crushed cloves and smoke from oak. Medium-plus body. Lots of 2003 vintage characteristics on the palate, with flavors of crushed blackberries, strawberry jam, cherry sweet tart along with a herbaceous green streak which adds complexity. As this opens, an interesting impression of floral-tinged incense seems to permeate both the aromas and palate. Chewy, astringent tannins carry everything through on the lingering close.
  While this could easily age for another 3-5+ years it's just beautiful right now, truly delicious Syrah.

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  2/23/2010 - frankge wrote: 90 Points

  dark purple in colour fading to crimson/clear rim. intense nose from the off, appealing syrah black fruit and a little spice. slight meaty hint. palate is bold, good acidity, decent finish. very enjoyable bottle, but in terms of complexity and togetherness it maybe lacking a little.

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  12/27/2009 - drdebs wrote: 90 Points

  Purchased back in 1/06 this is now a beautiful deep purple in color with aromas of smoke, blackberry, and spice. The palate is rich and meaty, with blackberry at its core and herbal edges. A lovely example of a Bien Nacido Syrah, that has aged very nicely. I suspect it still has as much as 3-4 more years in it. Surprisingly youthful tasting for an '03.

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