2015 Stolpman Vineyards, Para Maria de Los Tecolotes, Santa Barbara County.
Stolpman’s vineyard manager Ruben Solorzano has a en eye for great vines and grapes, this Para Maria, a mostly Syrah and Petit Verdot blend is sourced from vineyard sites he knows outside of the Stolpman estate and is a tribute to Ruben’s wife Maria, who also oversees and takes care of the crew at harvest. This wine, a collaboration between the Stolpman and Solorzano families, is a beauty with an exotic and sexy nature, highlighting the full and expressive vintage that was 2015, it was about 93% Santa Barbara Syrah and 7% Paso Robles Petit Verdot, it is similar in character and style to the La Cuadrilla, but unique as well with plenty of plummy fruit, mixed spices and ripe tannins. The 2015 Para Maria starts with hints of violets, camphor/embers, cracked peppercorns, sticky lavender and racy red fruits before turning darker on the palate with dense boysenberry, tangy black currant, plum and sweet cherry fruits along with red pepper flakes, zesty cinnamon, anise seed, Thai basil and bitter chocolate as well as blueberry and earthy notes. Opulent, deep and lively throughout, this Para Maria is an extremely fun and interesting wine, it has the authentic charms of Stolpman and influence of Sashi Moorman, Stolpman’s winemaker, though with it’s own thrust of flavors and soulfulness. Enjoy this wine with friends and food over the next 3 to 5 years, best with simple and rustic cuisine, grilled meats and or mushroom dishes. You have to admire people making great wine from their heart and that give back to the people that help make all the magic happen, bravo Pete Stolpman and especially Ruben Solorzano, this is wonderful stuff!
($23 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive