Andremily California Mourvedre 2018

Rare new release from Andremily. Limited. 98 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Mourvèdre is a blend of 85% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah and 3% Viognier, coming from Alta Mesa vineyard (Santa Barbara County), Larner vineyard (Ballard Canyon) and Watch Hill vineyard (Alisos Canyon). The wine was vinified using 75% whole cluster and aged for around 21 months in 50% new French oak barrique and demi-muid and 50% used French barrique. The alcohol is 15.6%. Very deep purple-black, the 2018 Mourvèdre leaps from the glass with vibrant notes of wild blueberries, crushed black cherries and mulberries with touches of roses, tar and cigars plus a hint of cardamom. The beautifully crafted, tightly knit, full-bodied palate has a firm, fine-grained texture and lively backbone, finishing long and savory. 400 cases and a few magnums were made." 97+ Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Also mostly from the Alta Mesa Vineyard, the 2018 Mourvèdre will spend 21 months in 50% new French oak. Offering a more blue fruit character as well as beautiful pepper and floral notes, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a complex, gamey, almost Old World style, notable acidity and tannins, and a great finish. It's a beautiful, elegant, yet age-worthy effort...Winemaker Jim Binns continues to pretty much knock it out of the park in every vintage. His 2017s are unquestionably some of the greatest wines in the vintage, and the Mourvèdre (along with John Alban's The Mason Forsyth cuvée) is undoubtedly one of the finest expressions of this variety coming out of California today. These are powerful, full-bodied wines that make no excuses for their fruit or opulence while staying perfectly balanced, pure, and elegant. Readers should not miss these stunningly singular wines." ....In May 2019, I paid a visit to Andremily owner, Jim Binns, at his small winemaking facility in Ventura, CA. A former employee at Sine Qua Non, not only did this guy learn from the best, he has taken the baton and run off into his own very clever direction with it. I think it is safe to say that with the possible exception of Beaucastel’s Hommage a Jacques Perrin, there is no one in the world producing greater Mourvedre than Jim. It is a variety that he clearly loves and has mastered like no other. Most impressive is the quality of the tannins in his varietal label (85%+ Mourvedre)—astonishing when you consider how difficult it can be to get Mourvedre tannins this ripe!"

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