This cuvee always provides a great choice for value and quality from this consistent producer in Santa Maria Valley. A blend of 53 percent Syrah, 25 percent Grenache, and 22 percent Mourvedre, each varietal is aged separately for nine months. It’s blended then aged four months in neutral (previously used) barrels and bottled unfiltered. Classic Rhone in style, it offers bold blackberries, boysenberries, and plummy flavors that harmonize with earthy mineral and smoky notes, nicely nuanced with pepper and spice. A great choice for roast leg of lamb, quail, game, or a juicy ribeye steak, it also drinks deliciously alone. It’s available at all Scolari’s, and at the Qupe tasting room in Los Olivos at $25 retail.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 5, 2011.