2014 Andremily Mourvedre

A blend of 86% Mourvèdre and 14% Syrah using 70% whole cluster and spending about 23 months in French oak (30% new), the 2014 Mourvedre has a very deep garnet-purple color and fragrant nose of mulberries, blackberry pie and preserved plums with hints of underbrush, beef drippings and black pepper, plus an exotic touch of cardamom. Full-bodied with loads of lively, savory layers, it has a firm, chewy backbone and persistent earth and aniseed layers coming through on the finish. This wine was reminiscent to me of Beaucastel’s Hommage a Jacques Perrin and when I mentioned this to winemaker Jim Binns, he smiled and said that was his inspiration. 70 cases were made.

I loved the 2014 Mourvèdre from barrel, and it more than impresses from bottle. Incorporating 14% Syrah, it starts out floral and sweetly fruited, but quickly shows more and more classic Mourvèdre characteristics with its spiced meats, dried earth, black cherry, graphite and peppery herbes de Provence-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, elegant and seamless on the palate, it has savory, yet polished tannin and an incredible finish. This is a singular beauty that reminds me a touch of the Deus ex Machina Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos Saint Jean. Drink it anytime over the coming two decades. Make sure you decant it if drinking anytime soon. Note, this cuvée comes from the Alta Mesa and White Hawk Vineyards, and unfortunately, there’s only 70 cases made. Andremily’s Jim Binns continues to fashion some of the most exciting wines coming out of California today. Jim left Sine Qua Non last year to focus full time on his own label, and is now making his wines in Ventura. The 2014 Andremily No 3 is unquestionably one of the great California Syrahs, and while I think the 2015 are a small step back, it’s not by much. If you get a chance, don’t miss these wines!