Winemaker Notes
Remarkably dark and full-bodied, and yet it has such gentle tannins. It is truly a pleasure to drink, especially at the price. Lots of fruit and spices here.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
The 2014 Syrah Tous les Jours is a stunning bottle of wine... It is a decidely flashy, extroverted Syrah loaded with blue and black fruits, and spicy notes from the cool climate origins & the indulgent oak aging. "Tous les Jours" means every day, hinting at the rich & drinkable style. A truly "Affordable Luxury"!
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
A truly delicious GSM—(Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre blend), the 2014 Andrew Murray Vineyards Esperance does an excellent job of combining the flavors of this trio of grape varieties. This wine shows an attractive wild streak of leaves and dried fruits as it stays substantive and generous on the palate and in the finish. The lively red and black fruit pairs it well with grilled steak. (Tasted: June 9, 2017, San Francisco, CA)
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
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.