Syrah 'Bien Nacido'	1990	Qupe

9/97. Bought in London Mar-96 for $23.
My American wine experience is perforce very limited. However, on my last visit, some two and a half years ago, I was exposed to this particular wine on some three different occasions, including an extremely interesting tasting at the Qupe (and Au Bon Climat) winery.
I always liked this particular cuvee, but yesterday's bottle was really out of this world!
COLOR: Dark red, similar to a Rhone Syrah. Intensity of hues goes up to the rim.
NOSE: Wonderful and exciting! Aromas of red fruits, black fruits and spices just burst out of the glass. The most delicate 'Rhone Nose' (not to be confused with 'Bourgogne Nose') serves as a backdrop to the myriad of pleasing elements that attack the nose.
TASTE: As delicious as the nose promised and then some... Not the typical in-your-face fruit bomb (some of) my American friends like so much, but a round, complete, perfectly balanced vigorous wine that is both multi-layered and complex and extremely tasty. Fantastic!
LENGTH: Unbelievably long and reverberating aftertaste. The wine simply sings in your mouth long after each sip has gone down your throat.
TEXTURE & BALANCE: The *ONLY* reason I would probably not guess a Hermitage if given this wine blind is the relative lack of weight. The wine is only "medium bodied" but that does not distract one iota from its perfection. Full of 'winyness', ample fruit and acidity, some soft tannins - all combine to present a vigorous, whole, yet supremely balanced wine.
OVERALL: Extraordinary! At three times the price it would still be a good value! As it is - a gross sin to pass it by. My guess is that the 1990 "Bien Nacido" is at its absolute peak right now.
MARK: 19/20.aaaaaaaaBUY MORE? Yes.

Reach Me? yak@yakshaya.com

Copyright 1996-2003.
Jacob "Yak" Shaya.