2016 Andremily Mourvedre

The 2016 Mourvèdre is taken from Alta Mesa and Larner, with dollops of Syrah and Viognier that round out the blend. Dark, savory and richly textured, the 2016 possesses tremendous depth and intensity in every direction. Next to the 2016 Syrah, the Mourvèdre is a bit more tannic and also more savory in profile, with a good deal of grippiness that needs time in bottle to soften. I would prefer to give it a year or two in the cellar. Leather, smoke, game, iron, tobacco, chocolate and incense build into the potent finish. This is a decidedly sumptuous style.

The 2016 Mourvèdre is composed of 89% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah and 2% Viognier coming from the Alta Mesa Vineyard in Santa Barbara County and Larner Vineyard in Ballard Canyon. Seventy percent whole cluster was employed, and the wine was aged for 21 months in French barriques, 50% new. Deep purple-black colored, it slips out of the glass with gorgeous fragrant earth, truffles and garrigue scents over a blackberry preserves and baked plums core plus nuances of chargrill and underbrush. Full-bodied, rich and seductively generous in the mouth, it has beautifully plush, velvety tannins matched by fantastic freshness, finishing long and savory. Only 210 cases and “a few” magnums were produced.

A wine of polish and sophistication, the 2016 Mourvèdre is positively striking today. The more moderate growing season vis-a-vis 2015 yielded a wine with all the power and depth that are such signatures here, but with an added kick of freshness that gives vibrancy. The 2016 has the potential to develop into a truly special wine, but if previous vintages are any indication, it is also likely to age at a glacial pace.