Winemaker Notes
This rich red is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre and 15% Syrah, all from the winery's Estate. In order to bring in each variety at optimum ripeness, they harvest and then ferment each of these separately. Only after 3 weeks of fermentation and properly assessing flavor development do they start to create the final blend. The blend is then allowed to age in French Oak barrels (approx. 15% new) for 18 months before bottling. Andrew Murray has been bottling this wine since their very first vintage in 1994. This 2018 vintage of Espérance contains all of the wisdom of their past wines and is thus amongst the best bottlings ever.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Not yet bottled, the 2018 Espérance checks in as a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, all aged 18 months in neutral oak. Savory notes of spiced red and black fruits, new leather, dried herbs, and a hint of incense all emerge from the glass, and it's elegant, medium-bodied, and beautifully balanced. It's going to be a smoking value and offer loads of pleasure over the coming 4-6 years. Barrel Sample: 91-93
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.