Stolpman La Cuadrilla 2016 | Rich, Powerful & Concentrated
Stolpman La Cuadrilla 2016 displays deepest ruby-purple in color. While simply packed with explosive raspberry jam aromatics, accented by rose petals. Rich, powerful and wonderfully concentrated on the attack with a luscious core of red plum, boysenberry, and blueberry. Yet, there is ample lift on the palate from vibrant acidity as well as support from supple tannins, tamed by the limestone soils of Ballard Canyon. As a result, the finish is miles long, with lingering red and blue fruit. A gem by Winemaker Kyle Knapp.
92WA | Stolpman La Cuadrilla 2016 comprises a blend of 72% Syrah, 16% Sangiovese and 12% Grenache. First the unabashedly delicious 2016 La Cuadrilla is a beautiful wine. Jumping from the glass with notes of roses, violets, wild berry fruits and pomegranate. While on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied with an ample core of juicy fruit, satiny tannins, and a pure finish. This is an amazing value. Notably, issue #236 of The Advocate lists Santa Barbara’s “Top Values (below $30)” and among the usual suspects—Varner, Calera, Sandhi—this Stolpman La Cuadrilla tops the list.
Grape Whisperer Ruben Solrozano | Founder of Cuadrilla
The Stolpman La Cuadrilla 2016 label honors the founder of Cuadrilla, Ruben Solrozano. Today, as a partner in Coastal Vineyard Care Associates, Ruben manages several hundred acres of vineyards, not just Stolpman. Rather, we envision Ruben as one of the Red Tailed Hawks that glide in the wind above our vineyard every afternoon. He oversees our crew and our vines with an all-knowing presence. While the Hawk is emblazoned with pinking sheers. Most of all, a symbol for only touching the vines by hand rather than by machine. As well as moons in different phases, as we work the ground and the vines based on variances in lunar gravity.
Because Ruben rotates the Cuadra to a different area of the vineyard each year, the blend of La Cuadrilla changes each vintage. Inspired by the perpetual change and innovation, creative director Kari Crist designs a new black and white image for each vintage’s release. Hence, the photos always relate to the Cuadrilla members.
Winemaker Kyle Knapp
Winemaker Kyle Knapp directs the gentle extraction, native fermentation, and aging in our winery. After starting his career in Santa Barbara, Kyle spent a vintage in Margaret River, Australia before joining the Stolpman winemaking team. Back then, Kyle worked 2006-2009 as Stolpman’s assistant winemaker before he moved on to make wine at Ballard Canyon neighbor Beckmen Vineyard through 2015. Since 2010 Kyle has crafted tiny lots from nearby vineyards under his own Press Gang Cellars label.