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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 Mourvedre is composed of 86% Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, and 2% Viognier, made using 75% whole clusters and aged for 21 months in 50% new French oak barriques. Deep garnet-black in color, it needs a swirl or two to unlock notes of baked plums, boysenberries, and black cherries followed by hints of violets, tilled soil, licorice, and fragrant earth. Pow! — the palate bursts with full-bodied, rich, multi-layered, mineral goodness, featuring shimmery black fruits with firm, grainy tannins and bright freshness, finishing long, long, long. 500 cases a few magnums were made.
100 points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent (Aug 2023)
The 2020 Mourvèdre is blended with 12% Syrah and 2% Viognier. Grapes come from Andremily's new Slide Hill estate vineyard, the Alta Mesa Vineyard and Larner Vineyard in Santa Barbara County, plus the G2 vineyard in Paso Robles. It was vinified using 75% whole clusters and matured for around 21 months in 50% new French barriques and 600-liter demi-muids. It takes some time to reveal pure tones of star anise, tar, lilac and chocolate, which complement a deep core of boysenberry and blueberry fruit, and it gains in intensity and expression as it spends time in the glass. The palate offers highly concentrated, youthfully coiled fruit framed by powdery tannins and vibrant acidity, and it has a very long, layered finish. It will benefit from several years in bottle. 500 cases and a few magnums were made.
98 points, Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (Nov 2023)
More meaty, gamey notes of black raspberries, blueberries, ground pepper, and hints of iron define the 2020 Mourvedre, another incredibly powerful, intense wine that stays flawlessly balanced. It's concentrated, has ripe, polished tannins, and nicely integrated acidity, all making for an incredible expression of Mourvèdre. This closes down with air, so I'd recommend trying a bottle over the coming year or two or giving it 5-7 years in the cellar. This is an insanely gorgeous bottle of wine that should see its 20th birthday in fine form.
98 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2023)
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