Stolpman Vineyards 'Love You Bunches' Red 2023 750ml

Product Info

90pts Vinous Media
The 2022 Sangiovese Love You Bunches is 100% Sangiovese done with carbonic maceration, Chianti Classico meets Beaujolais if you will. Bright acids drive a core of red-toned fruit in a wine that offers tons of harmony, precision and sheer appeal. Drinking Window 2023 – 2028

Stolpman might very well be the single most improved winery in Santa Barbara over the last few years. The wines I tasted here a dozen years ago were dark, heavy and ponderous. Today, it’s a very different story. Peter Stolpman and his team have done a tremendous job infusing these wines with notable freshness and verve. Among other things, the focus on energy also creates greater differences in the various Syrah bottlings, something that was not often the case in the past. The new Syrahs made from cuttings taken from some of the Rhône’s most elite estates are quite simply some of the most exciting wines in California today. - By Antonio Galloni on July 2023

Terroir
Stolpman Vineyards is rooted in the eastern edge of Ballard Canyon in Santa Ynez Valley, one of California’s most compelling Rhône-focused appellations. The estate sits on a rare uplift of ancient seabed—calcareous limestone soils that are more commonly associated with regions like the Rhône Valley than with coastal California. These chalky soils provide natural drainage while retaining enough moisture to sustain dry-farmed vines through the warm growing season.

Ballard Canyon benefits from a distinctive east-west transverse valley orientation, allowing cool Pacific breezes to funnel inland each afternoon. This diurnal shift preserves acidity and extends hang time, particularly important for Syrah, the primary component of Love You Bunches. The 2022 vintage delivered vibrant fruit and balanced ripeness, lending both energy and approachability to this exuberant bottling.

Though playful in spirit, the wine is deeply tied to site—sunlit fruit anchored by limestone-driven structure.

Winemaking
“Love You Bunches” is Stolpman’s tribute to carbonic maceration, a technique often associated with Beaujolais but equally compelling with Rhône varieties. Whole clusters are placed into tank and undergo intracellular fermentation before traditional fermentation begins, emphasizing bright aromatics and supple texture.

This approach minimizes heavy extraction and tannic grip, highlighting freshness and fruit purity. Fermentation is conducted primarily in stainless steel to preserve vibrancy, and aging occurs in neutral vessels to avoid oak influence. The wine is bottled early to capture its youthful exuberance and lively personality.

The result is intentional and stylistic rather than conventional—a red wine designed to be chilled slightly, poured generously, and enjoyed with spontaneity.

Tasting Notes
The 2022 “Love You Bunches” Red pours a vivid, translucent ruby-purple. The nose is immediately expressive, bursting with ripe raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry, accented by notes of candied violets, cracked pepper, and subtle spice. A faint savory undertone—olive tapenade and dried herbs—adds dimension beneath the fruit.

On the palate, the wine is juicy and energetic, with bright acidity and minimal tannic weight. The carbonic influence brings a lifted, almost playful texture, while the limestone soils lend subtle structure and balance. Red and blue fruits glide across the mid-palate, finishing clean and refreshing with hints of spice and mineral lift.

The impression is joyful yet composed—vibrant fruit framed by surprising precision.

Food Pairings
“Love You Bunches” thrives in casual, food-forward settings. It pairs effortlessly with wood-fired pizza, grilled sausages, burgers, and barbecue chicken, where its brightness cuts through richness. The wine’s lively acidity also complements Mediterranean dishes, charcuterie boards, and vegetable-forward fare.

It can even handle a slight chill, making it ideal for warm-weather gatherings. Serve around 55°F for maximum freshness and aromatic lift.

Cellaring & Longevity
This is a wine crafted for immediate enjoyment, designed to celebrate freshness and vitality. While it can hold for a few years, its primary appeal lies in its youthful fruit and vibrant energy.

Best enjoyed within 3–6 years of vintage, the 2022 “Love You Bunches” Red captures a spirited side of Stolpman Vineyards—approachable, expressive, and deeply rooted in Ballard Canyon terroir, even in its most playful form.