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B-21 Top Recommendation
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Quietly building a reputation as one of the top producers on California's Central Coast, these powerful and opulent Rhone varietal reds from Andremily are crafted by superstar winemaker Jim Binns, formerly assistant winemaker at legendary cult producer Sine Qua Non, described as "stunningly singular wines" that "readers should not miss" by Jeb Dunnuck, rarely available outside their exclusive mailing list and certain to thrill Rhone fans and collectors at specially negotiated prices.
Achieving a staggering twenty-seven 100 point scores during his tenure with winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, Jim Binns established Andremily in 2012 in the outskirts of Ventura, naming it for the combination of his two children's names, Andrew and Emily and moving on from Sine Qua Non in 2017 to devote his full attention to his Central Coast project. Exquisitely balancing hedonist fruit with precise acidity and elegant fine tannins, Jim sources grapes from some of the best parcels throughout Santa Barbara including the legendary vineyards of Bien Nacido and White Hawk, also recently purchasing the 39-acre Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley to cultivate his own estate fruit. Continuing to "pretty much knock it out of the park in every vintage" according to Jeb Dunnuck, the 97 pt. 2019 Andremily EABA "End All Be All" cuvee is a blend of mostly Syrah with Mourvedre aged for around 22 months in 55% new French oak barrels of mixed sizes, called an "outrageously beautiful ample wine that captures the Andremily style at its best" by Antonio Galloni of Vinous. Described as "undoubtedly one of the finest expressions of this variety coming out of California today" by Jeb Dunnuck, the "simply stunning" 100 pt. 2020 Andremily Mourvedre comes from "one of a handful of the finest Mourvedre artisans in the world" according to the Wine Independent's Lisa Perrotti-Brown, crafted by Jim in an elegantly rich and deeply structured style inspired by Beaucastel's Hommage a Jacques Perrin. Blended with small amounts of Mourvedre and Viogner in the Northern Rhone style, the 99 pt. 2020 Andremily #9 Syrah spent 22 months in 65% new French oak barrels yielding a "dense, full throttle wine" according to Antonio Galloni with a long, lingering finish. Released in very small numbers, the 2020 Mourvedre and 2020 #9 Syrah are also available as a set of magnums, while a second box set of magnums pairs the 98 pt. 2020 EABA, "a vibrant, exciting wine" according to Antonio Galloni of Vinous and the 99 pt. 2020 Grenache, called "a hedonistic, balanced, gorgeous wine" by Jeb Dunnuck, both deeply structured to evolve in the cellar for a decade or more.
Describing winemaker Jim Binns as crafting "some of the most exciting wines coming out of California today," Jeb Dunnuck declares, "If you get a chance, don't miss these wines!" – these small production Andremily blends built for "fans of big, concentrated, nuanced Rhone Ranger styles crafted with impressive restraint" according to WI's Lisa Perrotti-Brown priced well below Sine Qua Non and delivering outstanding value. |
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The 2020 Mourvèdre is composed of 86% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, and 2% Viognier, using 75% whole clusters. It spent 21 months in French oak barriques, 50% new. The wine was still in barrel when I tasted it, due to be bottled in a few weeks. Deep purple-black colored, it slowly emerges from the glass with earthy notions of crushed rocks, truffles, and fragrant soil with a core of plum preserves, fruit cake, and dark chocolate, leading to a fascinating waft of rose oil. Full-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid structure of firm, grainy tannins with a lively backbone to support the densely packed, muscular fruit, finishing long and energetic. Simply stunning!
98-100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Sep 2022)
Not yet bottled, the 2020 Mourvèdre, blended with 12% Syrah and 2% Viognier, is already offering incredible varietal character and expression. Made using 75% whole clusters, fruit comes from several Central Coast vineyards including Alta Mesa (Santa Barbara County), G2 (Paso Robles), Larner (Ballard Canyon) and Slide Hill (Edna Valley). It will be matured for about 21 months, with 50% in new French barriques and 600-liter demi-muids and 50% in used barriques. Deep purple-ruby in color, the nose opens slowly to loamy earth, dried lavender, mint leaves and a pure, concentrated core of cassis and baked blueberries. The palate is bursting with layer after layer of perfumed fruit. It has a fine, silky texture, alluring meaty accents, bursts of fresh acidity highlighting its perfume and a very long, layered finish.
97-99 points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (May 2022)
Not yet bottled, the 2020 Mourvedre is one heck of an impressive Mourvèdre, offering textbook savory red, blue, and black fruits as well as herbes de Provence, dry-aged beef, pepper, and some spicy, floral nuance. Full-bodied and opulent on the palate, with great tannins, it should have plenty of up-front appeal yet evolve for 15+ years in cold cellars.
97-99 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2022)
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