Qupe Central Coast Syrah 2005

Product Info from Wine.Com:

winemaker's notes:

This is an outstanding bottling of our Central Coast Syrah, ranking alongside the 1991, 1994, 1998 and 2003. The cool climate Santa Barbara and Arroyo Grande fruit give the wine the whole range of spice characters, nicely offset by the forward, rich fruit character of warmer Paso Robles. The alcohol comes in just under 14%, which I’m very happy about. Sure, this wine will age beautifully, but what’s the point? Drink it with pleasure over the next couple years and save your cellar space for more important wines.
critical acclaim:

"The 2005 Syrah Central Coast (20,000 cases produced) is a knock-out bargain for a Rhone Ranger offering. Dark ruby with loads of peppery berry fruit touched by roasted Provencal herbs, it possesses supple tannin, impressive purity and overall harmony, and a surprisingly long, layered finish. This beauty should drink nicely for 4-5 years."

88 Points

The Wine Advocate

"This young and unevolved bottling wins its star for what it will become rather than for what it is now. It is long on ripe blueberry and cherry-like fruit in its sweet aromas and frontal flavors, and shows a smattering of peppery spice. It tightens up on the latter palate after a comparatively fat entry with obvious acids closing things off at the end, yet there is a real sense of depth at work here, and the wine deserves a few years in which to fully unfold."

88 Points

Connoisseurs' Guide