Wine Enthusiast (100)

James Suckling (96)

James Suckling (96)

Immerse yourself in the elegant subtleties of the Qupe Santa Ynez Marsanne 2012, a robust offering from California's celebrated central coast. This wine hails from Qupe, a winery established in 1982 by Bob Lindquist, renowned for exploring Rhône-style varietals. Crafted in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley, this Marsanne imbues the enticing traces of its sun-drenched terroir.

The wine invigorates the palate with delicately balanced stone fruit notes displayed with remarkable purity and depth. The 2012 vintage, entirely barrel fermented in one- to three-years-old French oak barrels, offers an intricate interplay of rich texture and bright acidity, adding nuance to its fruit-forward flavours.

An exceptional testament to Lindquist's vision, this Qupe Santa Ynez Marsanne 2012 epitomises classy Californian wine. Its sophisticated profile and lingering finish make it a delightful companion to diverse cuisines, promising gastronomic delights. Revel in the mastery of this fine wine, truly a liquid poem to the patience of an expert winemaker.

Experience the indulgence of the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay 2017. This luxurious spirit is meticulously crafted in the acclaimed mineral-rich soils of Sta. Rita Hills, California, a distinctive terroir renowned for its coveted viticulture and picturesque vineyards. The Racines team, composed of some of the finest winemakers, namely Rajat Parr, Sashi Moorman, and Justin Willet, unswervingly commit to creating premium quality, organic, and biodynamic wines.

The 2017 Chardonnay is a pure embodiment of expertise and land synergy, matured in native yeast for maximum extraction of flavours. This wine captures the palatable essence of the region, revealing a sublime, lingering finish with nuances of citrus, orchard fruits, and layered minerality. Displaying vibrant acidity alongside sophisticated complex layers, the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 stands as a harmonious testament to the artisanal devotion of its creators and the profound depths of Californian wine.

Vinous (94)

The Racines Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee Chardonnay 2018 is a sophisticated offering from the famed California wine region. This stunningly bright and balanced Chardonnay is graced with lively acidity and flavourful fruit notes.

Produced by the esteemed partnership of French and American wine professionals - Justin Willett, Etienne de Montille, and Rodolphe Péters, Racines curates select grapes from the most exceptional Sta. Rita Hills vineyards. With an unflinching commitment to quality and the principles of sustainable winemaking, the 2018 Cuvee carries their experienced craftsmanship in every bottle.

Starting with hand-picked, sorted and immediately pressed grapes, it is fermented in French oak barrels using native yeast. This graceful Chardonnay is then aged 12 months sur lie to develop layered complexity. It presents an impressive balance of rich and restrained, with invigorating minerality, green apple, citrus, and subtle oak nuances. Offering depth, elegance, and longevity, the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee Chardonnay 2018 is undoubtedly a wine connoisseur’s dream.

Rooted in the prestigious terroir of California's Sta. Rita Hills, the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee Pinot Noir 2017 exudes an eloquent narrative of craftsmanship and tradition. Revered winemaking quartet, Eric Railsback, Justin Willet, Etienne de Montille, and Brian Sieve set their innate savoir-faire into motion, cultivating this exquisite, limited production Pinot Noir. The 2017 vintage is a beautiful construct of the region's maritime influences and distinctive calcareous soils. A skilful combination of whole cluster fermentation and extended maceration underpins the wine's complexity, granting it an impeccable structure and profound fruit-forward nuances. These deliciously intricate layers are beautifully complemented by a velvety mouthfeel and supple tannins. With its impressive convolutions of cherry, truffle, and spice undertones, the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee Pinot Noir 2017 is a captivating testament to refined winemaking.

Vinous (93)

Indulge in the exceptional Racines Sta. Rita Hills La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017, a remarkable produce of Santa Barbara County, California. This prestigious wine is the exquisite appearance of four revered winemakers - Eric Railsback, Justin Willett, Guillaume Sorrel and Nicolas Roc. Using Burgundy's centuries-old wine-making methods, with a light touch of French Oak influence, the 2017 vintage highlights the synthesis of old world and new world techniques.

Sourced from a highly recognised vineyard within the renowned Sta. Rita Hills viticultural area, the grapes boast unique complexities achieved from the cooling Pacific breezes and the area's minerally, alluvial soils. The 2017 Pinot Noir exudes alluring aromas of violet, cherry, and spice, leading to a full-bodied palate with layers of rich, velvety tannins, juxtaposed by a charming freshness.

Racines Sta. Rita Hills La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 is indeed a testament to its remarkable pedigree - a wine collector's delight and a connoisseur's pleasure.

Vinous (96)

Jancis Robinson (17)

Delve into the exquisite finesse of Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2017. This distinguished wine is a result of meticulous winemaking by the revered team of Justin Willett and Étienne de Montille. It hails from the treasured Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, in Sta. Rita Hills, a California region famed for its ideal wine-growing conditions. An homage to old world sensibilities, the wine is crafted using Burgundian methods, including hand-harvesting and native fermentation. One can discern the subtle presence of new French oak barrels that tenderly aged this wine for 12 months. This Chardonnay expresses a distinctive minerality reflecting the vineyard's unique marine sediment soil. Its vibrant acidity consorts beautifully with captivating notes of citrus, stone fruit and slight nuances of vanilla. A wine of great complexity and elegance, the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 truly celebrates the sublime union of Californian terroir and artisanal craftsmanship.

The Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 is a pure expression of its grand terroir. Originating from the esteemed Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in California's Central Coast, it is a product of the meticulous craftsmanship of four winemakers - Justin Willett, Étienne de Montille, Brian Sieve and Rodolphe Péters. Creating a harmonious blend of New and Old World techniques, the grape clusters are meticulously treated, fermented whole-cluster, and aged for approximately 12 months in French oak barrels. The result is a balanced, nuanced Pinot Noir that embodies the unique, mineral-driven character of Sta. Rita Hills. It boasts a deep ruby colour, with a bouquet of red fruit, florals and spices. On the palate, it offers flavours of wild berries and cherries, underscored by earthy undertones and subtle oak spice. Elegant and complex, the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 is a must-try for discerning wine connoisseurs.

The Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 is a pure expression of its grand terroir. Originating from the esteemed Sanford & Benedict Vineyard in California's Central Coast, it is a product of the meticulous craftsmanship of four winemakers - Justin Willett, Étienne de Montille, Brian Sieve and Rodolphe Péters. Creating a harmonious blend of New and Old World techniques, the grape clusters are meticulously treated, fermented whole-cluster, and aged for approximately 12 months in French oak barrels. The result is a balanced, nuanced Pinot Noir that embodies the unique, mineral-driven character of Sta. Rita Hills. It boasts a deep ruby colour, with a bouquet of red fruit, florals and spices. On the palate, it offers flavours of wild berries and cherries, underscored by earthy undertones and subtle oak spice. Elegant and complex, the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 is a must-try for discerning wine connoisseurs.

Indulge in the elegance of Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020, an esteemed product from California's revered Sta. Rita Hills. Cultivated in Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, one of the region's oldest and most treasured vineyards, this outstanding Pinot Noir exhibits the sophisticated symbiosis between ancient marine soils and the cool maritime climate. Acclaimed winemakers, Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve meticulously harvest alongside Racines' co-owners Justin Willett and Rodolphe Péters to create this limited-edition piece. Awarded a sensational 95 points by Wine Enthusiast, expect a refined palate rich with opulent red berry flavours, harmonised with delicate notes of earthiness and minerality. Aged in French oak, this exquisite Pinot Noir showcases a sophisticated balance of fruit vigour and soft tannins, giving it an extraordinary finish. Sipaway and enjoy the symphony of the Racines Sta. Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020, a testament to transcendent terroir expression and winemaking finesse.