2016 North America
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Qupe,
Ready, but will keep,
Bob Lindquist is one of the pioneers of Rhône varieties in California. He started his winery, located in the Bien Nacido vineyard, in the 1980s. Qupé refers to the native Californian poppy and state flower. Bob has travelled extensively to various wine regions and has perfected his craft over the years. His wines are incredibly refined and will often age beautifully in bottle.
Ruby in colour, paler at the rim, the nose has pepper spice mingled with dark red berry fruit – cherries, raspberries and cranberries. There are layers of complexity, with liquorice and cedar spice combined with a floral lift of violets and dried berry fruits. The palate has a juicy but tightly wound core, full of freshness and energy. The tannins are well integrated with a ripe but firm character to them. Drink now to 2027.
Ruby in colour, paler at the rim, the nose has pepper spice mingled with dark red berry fruit – cherries, raspberries and cranberries. There are layers of complexity, with liquorice and cedar spice combined with a floral lift of violets and dried berry fruits. The palate has a juicy but tightly wound core, full of freshness and energy. The tannins are well integrated with a ripe but firm character to them. Drink now to 2027.
Birichino,
Ready, but will keep,
These “centenarian” vines were planted in 1886 – and while they use most of the fruit to make their delicious Vin Gris Rosé, since 2012 they’ve also been making a red. At 12.5 percent alcohol, this wine has incredible restraint but with an intensity that holds its own. There are notes of violet, pomegranate, wild flowers and cranberries, followed by a savoury, chalky tannin profile.
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
For laying down,
With an average age of 81 years, when it says “old vine”, Bedrock means it! The fruit comes mainly from the Bedrock vineyard, as well as Teldeschi Ranch, Sodini Ranch, Nervo Ranch, Katushas, Evangelho, Esola, Casa Santinamaria and Story vineyard. This wine’s inherent quality is thanks to the quality of the fruit at source, while the various terroirs add to the complexity. The great concentration and structure displayed here will ensure this Zinfandel ages beautifully.
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Fiona Hayes, Wine Buyer
Ready, but will keep,
The 2015 vintage was Lingua Franca’s first, but it has already established itself as one of the leading Oregon wine producers, thanks to a collaboration between well-known Burgundian winemaker Dominique Lafon and highly regarded American Master Sommelier Larry Stone. Based in the Eola- Amity Hills AVA, the winery currently has its own vineyards but also buys high-quality fruit from the Willamette Valley.
Pale ruby in colour, this has a bright perfume of raspberries, cranberries and jasmine tea. The silky texture on the palate is balanced by refreshing and lively acidity, as well as well-integrated finegrained tannins and intensity of flavour. There is a minerality on the finish that is reminiscent of Burgundy, highlighting the wine’s innate quality. Drink now to 2027.
Pale ruby in colour, this has a bright perfume of raspberries, cranberries and jasmine tea. The silky texture on the palate is balanced by refreshing and lively acidity, as well as well-integrated finegrained tannins and intensity of flavour. There is a minerality on the finish that is reminiscent of Burgundy, highlighting the wine’s innate quality. Drink now to 2027.
Ready, but will keep,
This wines if full of fleshy white-peach, citrus zest, fresh apricot and spice notes. This wine has a generosity of flavour on the palate combined with an energetic and lively acidity that makes this wine perfect as an apéritif or accompanying white meat or fish. Drink now to 2021.
Fiona Hayes, Buyer (September 2019)
Fiona Hayes, Buyer (September 2019)
Ready, but will improve,
Lytton Springs is predominantly Zinfandel (69%) with Petite Sirah (23%), Carignan (6%) and Mataro (aka Mourvèdre, 2%) making up the rest of the blend in 2016. Originating from the Dry Creek AVA and produced by one of the world’s greatest wine producers, this wine has layers of complexity and charm. It’s a delicious combination of wildflowers, redcurrants and bramble fruits with hints of rosemary. Chalky tannins are balanced by juicy acidity. The sheer concentration creates a long finish. Drink now to 2025.
Fiona Hayes, Buyer (September 2019)
Fiona Hayes, Buyer (September 2019)
Ready, but will keep,
AVNI Chardonnay combines fruit from predominantly Nekia soils in Salem’s Bunker Hill, Eola-Amity Hills including Lingua Franca Estate, Yamhill-Carlton, with a small contribution from Laubejac Vineyard near Monmouth, in Willakenzie soils. The aroma is complex with layers of mineral, smoke, herbs. The wine is silky, racy and complex on the palate. A lasting finish of citrus, pear, and white flowers concludes with flinty, mouth-watering minerality.
Ready, but will keep,
Toasty, nutty and smoky notes are wonderfully integrated with verbena and white floral aromatics. Zesty acidity and a refreshing, savoury core bring precision and energy to the wine. The palate builds to a pithy finish. The intensity and vibrant acidity will enable this wine to keep for a further five to eight years. It would be perfect with duck or roast chicken. Drink now to 2027.
Fiona Hayes, Buyer (September 2019)
Fiona Hayes, Buyer (September 2019)
Ready, but will keep,
BHV Chardonnay is exclusively from Salem’s Bunker Hill, with 20-year-old CH76 vines on pure Nekia soils at an altitude of around 800 feet. BHV, the only west facing vineyard we work with, is exposed directly to the cooling ocean winds of the Van Duzer corridor. The aroma is complex with layers of mineral, smoke, herbs. It has a distinctly lifted flavor and intensity. The wine is crunchy, racy and complex on the palate. A lasting finish of citrus, herbs, and white flowers concludes with flinty, mouthwatering minerality, that has intensity but floats on the tongue.
Deep ruby in colour with purple tints, this wine displays notes of sweet spice, mocha and dark black fruits of plum, black cherries and strawberries. Vanilla spice, liquorice and chocolate are balanced with ripe, chewy tannins and a juicy core. Drink now to 2020.