{"title":"Alexa Stanford Tasting","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"2013-qupe-chardonnay-bien-nacido-vineyard-y-block-santa-barbara-375ml","title":"2013 Qupe Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard Y Block Santa Barbara 375ml","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003eFrom CA Pioneer Bob Lindquist\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal \"Rhone Ranger\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCool Climate Chardonnay, Built to Last \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cem\u003eBHW has the Lowest Price Anywhere!\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping on 12 or More Bottles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003c!-- accordion --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFounded in 1982 by CA pioneer Bob Lindquist, Qupe quickly established itself as the premier winery in Santa Barabra County. Bob planted some of the first cool-climate Syrah in California at the Bien Nacido vineyard in 1997, which has since been thrust into the \"Grand Cru\" spotlight and is universally regarded as one of the best vineyard sites in all of California. He is known as one of founding Rhone Rangers, demonstrating that Rhone varietals could succeed in California.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Qupe\" is a Chumash Native American word for poppy, the California state flower often found in the area. The Bien Nacido vineyard translates to \"of good birth\" and is part of a larger parcel, associated with an original California land grant. Given the vineyard's east-west exposition, the cool air from the Pacific Ocean flows into the Santa Maria valley and creates a perfect, natural air conditioning that keeps nights and mornings cool and the days warm. For this reason, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign supreme here. And, as Bob discovered, so too does Syrah.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2005, the 15-acre Block Y vineyard was planted using classic California Chardonnay clones along with two clones from Burgundy. Today, this vineyard boasts some of the most impressive Chardonnay's from California, rivaling some of the greats of Burgundy. Qupe uses one of the best coopers in the world, \u003cspan\u003eFrançois Fréres, in sourcing their oak barrels (20% new French Oak). This cool climate Chardonnay is what Chardonnay should taste like, fresh fruit, mouth-watering acidity, graceful balance, and a strong finish. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinemaker Notes: This is a classic cool-climate Chardonnay made in a traditional, balanced style. On the nose, find sharp aromas of citrus zest, green apples, and pears, with just a hint of vanilla and oak, followed by naturally fresh, crisp acidity balanced with a mouth-coating viscosity from aging on the lees. Completely dry, this is an elegantly balanced and structured Chardonnay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e(made from fruit grown in the Bien Nacido Vineyard; 20% new oak): Light gold. Fresh citrus and orchard fruit aromas show very good clarity and hints of sweet butter and toasted grain. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering ripe peach and poached pear flavors and a touch of anise. A minerally flourish adds lift and cut to the finish, leaving a subtle smoky note behind. ~90 Vinous Media\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***Free Shipping on 12 or more bottles of this wine***\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Qupe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32798131388519,"sku":"QCBNV13375","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0150\/0646\/products\/2013QupeChardonnayBienNacidoVineyardYBlockSantaBarbara.jpg?v=1605920159"},{"product_id":"2012-duluc-de-branaire-ducru-saint-julien","title":"2012 Duluc de Branaire-Ducru Saint-Julien 375ml","description":"\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003c!-- accordion --\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Winery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuluc de Branaire-Ducru is the second label from the prestigious Saint-Julien based fourth growth, Branaire-Ducru. Built in 1680, Branaire-Ducru has built up a reputation as one of the premier producers in Saint-Julien and has retained its fourth growth status since its inclusion of the original 1855 Bordeaux Classification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 60-hectare vineyard of Branaire Ducru is planted to 65% Cabernet-Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. This represents a slight increase in the amount of Merlot in the vineyard. In size, the vineyard is quite to close to what it was at the time of the 1855 Classification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe terroir is deep gravel with clay soils. The peak elevation reaches up to 14 meters. The best terroir is located near the chateau, closest to the Gironde river.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey also have blocks further inland, with a small section of vines placed close to Chateau Lagrange and Chateau Talbot. The vineyard can be divided into 15 different blocks with 70 different parcels of vines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNYR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles of this Wine*** \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Duluc de Branaire-Ducru","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":32839430766695,"sku":"375DDBSJ12","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0150\/0646\/products\/duluc.jpg?v=1605918332"},{"product_id":"2016-rex-hill-pinot-noir-willamette-valley","title":"2016 Rex Hill Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 375ml","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e93JS Willamette Pinot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple 91+ Scores\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSustainably Grown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping on 12 or more bottles\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003c!-- accordion --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"container-fluid bg-light vineyards-estategrown\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"container\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"row pt-lg-5 position-relative justify-content-center\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col-11 col-md-10 col-lg-6 pb-5 p-lg-5 text-left order-1 order-lg-2\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRex hill, a legacy winery in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, has been making elegant Pinot Noir for over 35 years. In 2007, the founders sold Rex Hill to the two families behind A to Z Wineworks. Case production was quickly reduced by almost 80% to \u003cstrong\u003erefine Rex Hill wines to be of the utmost quality and distinction\u003c\/strong\u003e. A to Z provided the resources to refocus Rex Hill as a luxury boutique brand offering special wines made with only the most careful attention to detail. The commitment to superior quality means \u003cstrong\u003eyear-round responsiveness to site, vintage, and climate, farming with organic and Biodynamic principles\u003c\/strong\u003e, and careful hand-selection of only the best clusters at harvest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2016 vintage was one of contrast. Record warm temperatures pushed bud break and flowering earlier than ever. The heat interspaced with rain led to very fast growth and heightened mildew pressure, but 100-degree days gave way to mild temperatures through the summer slowing growth and ripening. Verasion was almost three weeks in sine vineyards leading to a long and stretched out harvest. All in all, \u003cstrong\u003ethe weather was beautiful, slightly lower yields than projected but tremendously clean, concentrated, and fully ripened fruit!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAging: 10 months in French Oak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e: Red Wine. 100% Pinot Noir. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRich, dark berries, pomegranate, rhubarb, caramel, mulling spices, and tobacco with secondary hints of balsa wood, flint, slate, and graphite. The palate is expansive and energetic with moderate tannins, balanced acidity, and integrated, approachable oak.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"pipSecContent_topSection\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"reviewsContainer viewMoreModule\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"viewMoreModule_text viewMoreModule-reviews\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_list\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipProfessionalReviews_review\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pipSecContent_copy\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA beautiful pinot that shows freshness and sophistication with aromas of blueberries, dark plums, and hints of tangerines. I like the texture here. It has full-body, polished tannins, and a fresh and elegantly fine finish. ~93 James Suckling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eShows precision and presence, with refined raspberry, black tea, and forest floor accents that take on richness toward polished tannins. ~92 Wine Spectator\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eMedium ruby, the 2016 Pinot Noir has a nose of spiced cranberry sauce, blackberry jam, loamy earth, cinnamon stick, and red berry notes with touches of autumn leaves and licorice. Medium-bodied, it gives up loads of ripe, spiced fruits with a soft, grainy frame and juicy freshness, finishing long. ~92 Robert Parker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMost appealing right out of the bottle, this is absolutely loaded with sweet berries that burst from the glass. A seam of mocha permeates the fruit, with well-tempered herbal influences adding further complexity. It spent just 10 months in 29% new oak, and it's good to go right away. \u003c\/span\u003e ~91 Wine Enthusiast\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles of this Wine***\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rex Hill","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":37276151775408,"sku":"RHPNWV16","price":26.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0150\/0646\/products\/2016RexHillPinotNoirWillametteValley375ml.jpg?v=1627926241"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.bighammerwines.com\/collections\/alexa-stanford-tasting.oembed","provider":"BigHammerWines.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}