Winemaker Notes
The 2015 Andremily Mourvèdre, the second offering made from this wonderful grape, shares many similarities to its older sibling, with just a few refinements on the road to total enjoyment. The 2015 Andremily Mourvedre is a blend comprised of 92% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah, and 3% Viognier. It was raised in 100% French Barrique of which 50% were new. The final cuvee’ was 70% whole-cluster fermented, and bottled without fining or filtration. The 2015 Andremily Mourvedre is a full-bodied, concentrated, and rich cuvee’ that explodes from the glass with scents of espresso, roasted meats, blackberries, and plum, with a firm backbone and lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Produced from 92% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 3% Viognier using 73% whole cluster and spending about 21 months in French oak (50% new), the 2015 Mourvedre has a deep garnet-purple color and a lovely spice cake, fragrant earth and fallen leaves-scented nose over the core of plum pudding, blackberry tart and black cherry compote, plus touches of anise and coffee. The full-bodied palate is packed with spicy, savory and earthy layers, with a firm backbone of grainy tannins and lively acid, finishing with lingering pepper and anise notes. 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. 130 cases were made.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The second vintage for the cuvée, the 2015 Mourvèdre (92% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, and 3% Viognier) saw a big chunk of stems (73%) and 21 months in 50% new French oak. Currants, smoked herbs, chocolate, licorice, and truffle notes all flow to a big, rich, powerful Mourvèdre that has serious meatiness, density, and length. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will keep for 10-15 years or more.
Full of ripe fruit, and robust, earthy goodness, Mourvèdre is actually of Spanish provenance, where it still goes by the name Monastrell or Mataro. It is better associated however, with the Red Blends of the Rhône, namely Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Mourvèdre shines on its own in Bandol and is popular both as a single varietal wine in blends in the New World regions of Australia, California and Washington. Somm Secret—While Mourvèdre has been in California for many years, it didn’t gain momentum until the 1980s when a group of California winemakers inspired by the wines of the Rhône Valley finally began to renew a focus on it.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.