2020 Lindquist Family Wines Syrah Central Coast

Bob Lindquist, the founder of Santa Barbara icon Qupé, is an icon whose face deserves to be on California’s Rhône Rushmore, alongside Jim Clendenen, Randall Grahm, and John Alban. Wine & Spirits once said, “Bob Lindquist makes some of the most consistently fine Syrah in California,” and his wines have landed on the W&S Top 100 lists more than a dozen times. 

Dark-fruited, peppery, kissed with plenty of spice, this wine pushes the same buttons of delight as the great Lindquist wines of years past. Antonio Galloni of Vinous called it “bright, punchy and explosive,” saying: “Judging by these new releases, Lindquist hasn’t missed a beat since leaving Qupe a few years ago.”

Over the last four decades, Lindquist has established himself as one of America’s great Syrah-makers and, as an original member of the Rhone Rangers, he’s been a major proponent of Rhône Valley varieties.

In 1979, Lindquist started working at Zaca Mesa, where he met Jim Clendenen. By 1982, Clendenen had founded Au Bon Climat winery. A year later Lindquist established Qupé and began churning out brilliant Syrahs, most notably from Bien Nacido Vineyard. By 1989, the owners of Bien Nacido were so impressed by Lindquist and Clendenen that they offered to build and lease a winery to both men on-site. 

Lindquist parted ways with Qupé in 2019, and has taken his talents to his namesake label. Made primarily from Syrah from vineyards like Sawyer-Lindquist, Bien Nacido, and Rancho Sisquoc, the wine is dosed with a little Mourvèdre, Grenache, Tempranillo, and Graciano. Aged for 14 months in just 5% new French oak, it’s an incredible bottle from a master winemaker.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Acidity
• Tannin

• ABV 13.50%
• 30 mins
• Now – 2030
• % Syrah
• Serving temperature – 58°
• Stelvin