This striking Syrah was grown in the Beckmen family’s Purisima Vineyard along Ballard Canyon Road in Los Olivos. It’s typically one of my favorite of winemaker Bob Lindquist’s many vineyard-designated Syrahs. He describes it as one of their most elegant Syrahs—not surprising, since the vineyard is 100-percent biodynamically farmed by winemaker Steve Beckmen. Pretty, refined, and beautifully balanced, it tastes of ripe raspberries weaved with notes of cherries, herbs, and spice. This well-balanced Rhone red drinks deliciously alone, and it’s a great choice for grilled lamb chops, a buffalo burger, or rich ribeye steak. This exceptional wine is available at Qupé’s Los Olivos tasting room, where it’s a very good buy at $35.
This article appears in Jun 14-21, 2012.
