WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
Plush Lavender with hints of fresh, crunchy red berry. A swirl of juicy red to purple plum. The fresh, lively front palate leads into a weighty, more serious middle. Exciting spicy pepper notes trace behind the fruit on the nose and ride over the soft, fine tannin. Dynamic and rewarding now on release, this wine will be supple and luxurious by early 2025 and the “yum quotient” will surely rise exponentially. Even now, with a few minutes of air the 50% Syrah takes command, getting darker and bolder, harkening for grilled red meat. Another dried herb, menthol layer appears, showing future evolution and complexity.
TASTING NOTES:
A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Sangiovese whose proceeds are divided among Stolpman's vineyard workers, the 2023 La Cuadrilla is one of the better values in all California wine. It opens with a beautifully floral, energetic nose supplemented with focused, leathery accents. The palate is plush and succulent, concluding with a quenching, juicy and simply delicious finish framed by fine-grained tannins.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 pts.
The 2023 La Cuadrilla is a fabulous entry-level offering. Bright, punchy and full of character, the 2023 delivers superb quality and striking purity of fruit. It’s also a fabulous value. This blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Sangiovese is lights-out.
- Vinous, 92 pts.
This vineyard crew-led blend is always a charmer. The blend of 50% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 15% Sangiovese offers dark cherry, berry and cigar box aromas on the nose. The palate lands with ripe fruit and toasty flavors, floating atop young, sticky tannins and a zippy acidity.
Editors' Choice
- Wine Enthusiast, 91 pts.
A fresh-tasting, juicy blend from the Stolpman property that's full-bodied, ripe and easy to drink. So affordable. Mild tannins and lots of freshness make it almost gulpable. Contains syrah, grenache, mourvedre and sangiovese.
- James Suckling, 91 pts.
Juicy, forward, and pleasure-bent, the 2023 La Cuadrilla offers ripe Bing cherry and blue fruits, as well as some pepper, herbs, and floral notes. Based on 50% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and 15% Sangiovese, fermented with 33% whole clusters and aged 10 months in neutral French oak puncheons, it's medium-bodied with ripe tannins.
- Jeb Dunnuck, 90 pts.
