Medium to deep ruby-purple, the nose of the 2015 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Estate gives warm blackberries, dark cherries, olive, toasted coconut, salami and cracked black pepper with tinges of blueberry and chocolate. The palate is medium to full-bodied with good intensity of black fruits, firm, chewy tannins and good freshness, finishing long.

The 2013 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Estate was my favorite of these reds from Qupé, unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, plums, violets, petroleum jelly, dark chocolate and cracked pepper. On the palate, the wine is supple, velvety and medium to full-bodied, with lots of peppery, crunchy fruit and good juicy acidity, as well as excellent concentration and length. This saw some 50% new oak, but it has already digested it and seems ready to evolve attractively for the next fifteen years.

One of the stars in the lineup is the 2011 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Estate. Raised 20 months in 50-60% new French Burgundy barrels, it has a classy elegance to go with pretty, crunchy notes of berry fruits, pepper, underbrush and violets. Possessing terrific tension, elegance and purity, with fine tannin, drink it anytime over the coming decade.

The 2010 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Hillside Estate offers classic cool-climate notes of pepper, green olive, leather and spice, as well as a core of ripe blackberry and raspberry styled fruit. Medium+-bodied, nicely balanced and with integrated acidity, it has outstanding mid-palate density, plenty of tannin and solid finish. Made from 100% Syrah that spent 20 months in 50-60% in new French oak, it will benefit from short-term cellaring and have 15+ years of overall longevity.

Slightly richer, with addition depth and texture, the 2009 Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside Estate offers up knockout game, new saddle leather, pepper and smoke-tinged blackberry fruit as well as a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. Balanced and showing plenty of ripe tannin and good acidity, it will have 12-15 years of evolution. Drink now-2024. Tel. (805) 937-9801; www.qupe.com