2018 Andremily Grenache

“To say this wine is absolutely brilliant would be an understatement.” – Andremily

Når man har så god en forståelse for terroir og druesorter som Jim Binns fra Andremily har, kan man på baggrund af en dogmefri vinproduktion skabe enestående cuvéer.

Det har altid været de europæiske vinområders styrke, at de gennem flere hundrede år har lært at mestre deres lokale druesorter. Modsat har de oversøiske områder kæmpet med at skabe sig en lignende fortælling og branding, som forbrugerne kan forstå og navigere efter. Men for Jim Binns er det en foræring.

Hans Grenache cuvée trækker både inspiration fra GSM-blandingsforholdene fra Châteauneuf-du-Pape i Sydrhône, men låner også lidt inspiration fra det spanske, da den lokale Rioja-druesort, Graciano, pludselig finder vej til blendet. Et kreativt indspark, der havde fået traditionalisterne til at kalde vinen for galskab, men som i hænderne på Jim Binns bliver til en lille genialitet.

Vinen er stor og fyldig, men har finkornede tanniner til at give vinen tekstur, og en velintegreret syre, som giver lethed til det modne frugtudtryk. Her er både noter af røde og mørke bær, som ledsages af klassiske Grenache-toner af friske krydderurter. Spanierne og franskmændene, som ellers har mange hundrede års historie for at fortolke Grenache, må rive sig i håret af frustration over at se sig så massivt udfordret af denne virtuose winemaker!

Vinen har lagret 21 måneder, den ene 50% i en blanding af nye, franske barriquefade på 225 liter og 600 liters demi-fluids, og de resterende 50% i brugte, franske barriques 

99 point | Jeb Dunnuck

” Just about pure perfection, the 2018 Grenache is another deep ruby/purple-hued wine from this estate that has an incredible freshness paired with richness in its ripe black fruits, white and black pepper, licorice, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Utterly seamless on the palate, it shows the pure, elegant, lively style of the vintage yet brings incredible depth and richness. It’s world class Grenache all the way and will evolve for 10-15 years in cold cellars. The 2018 checks in as 80% Grenache, 14% Mourvèdre, and 6% Syrah that saw the standard 65% whole clusters. The élevage was 21 months in 50% new barrique and 600-liter barrels.”

95 | Robert Parker

“The 2018 Grenache is a blend of 80% Grenache, 14% Mourvedre and 6% Syrah, coming from Alta Mesa vineyard (Santa Barbara County), Larner vineyard (Ballard Canyon) and Kimsey vineyard (Ballard Canyon). The wine was vinified using 65% whole cluster and aged for around 21 months in 50% new French oak barrique and 600-liter demi-muid and 50% used French barrique. The alcohol is 15.4%.

Sporting a medium to deep garnet-purple color, the 2018 Grenache rolls effortlessly out of the glass with compelling scents of baked blueberries, Black Forest cake, stewed plums and bouquet garni, followed by suggestions of mocha, black olives and tar. The full-bodied palate is soft and satiny with fantastic freshness and loads of savory layers, finishing long and meaty. 300 cases and a few magnums were made.”

94 | Vinous

”The 2018 Grenache is a gorgeous wine, but it is also quite a powerhouse. Black cherry, plum, spice, tobacco and scorched earth bring out the darker side of Grenache. This decidedly muscular wine is going to need a number of years in bottle to come around. Vineyard sites are Alta Mesa, Larner and Kimsey, with the Kimsey contribution especially evident. Dollops of Mourvèdre and Syrah round out the blend.”