Jim's jaw-dropping showstopper is not his Grenache or Syrah but his Mourvèdre. Typically, this grape variety can be a broody, burly, tannic monster, yet this is a Mourvèdre with remarkable grace and finesse. The 2019 reviewed last year was phenomenal, and this year's 2020 release is equally stunning.

"Mourvèdre is a later ripening variety that needs warmth," commented Jim during my recent visit. "2020 was a hot vintage, and the Mourvèdre benefitted from this. Also, I think the Alta Mesa site we source from is really suited to this variety. It gives a little more depth. We've tried getting Mourvèdre from other places, but it can be more tannic and herbaceous, not rich and chocolaty like this. However, Alta Mesa is a higher mountain vineyard, so it can be impacted by dry growing seasons. 2021 was deeper into the drought than 2020." 

If the 2021 drought did impact the core Alta Mesa site for Jim's 2021 Mourvèdre, it doesn't show. The style of the 2021 is more structured and reticent at this stage than its 2020 counterpart, but it's shaping up to be a beauty.

"2021 was a little cooler with longer hangtime and a little bit of rain in the last quarter of the growing season," said Jim. "Some people picked before or during the rains; we waited until after. 2020 definitely has a softer texture. The 2021s have a little more tannin."

2021 is shaping up to be a beauty.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Another exciting development at Andremily is a new estate wine that's about to make its debut. In 2020, Jim purchased Slide Hill Vineyard in Edna Valley, across the road from Alban Vineyards. Planted in 2005, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, and certified biodynamic, the 40-acre vineyard is around 30% Syrah and 30% Grenache, with the rest being Marsanne, Viognier, and Albarino, plus two acres of Chardonnay that Jim just planted.

"We held back some of the best Slide Hill barrels from 2020," Jim said. "This will be bottled as a single vineyard designate on the 26th of August."

All the 2021 reds I tasted are due to be bottled by the end of August.

Meanwhile, fans of the EABA label (the End All Be All blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre with a dash of Viognier) can expect a spectacular 2020 soon. "The EABA 2020 will be shipped this autumn," said Jim. "But going forward, the EABA will have longer in barrel, so we haven't finalized the 2021 blend yet."

Rhône varieties fans will want to keep their eyes peeled for these Andremily wines being offered soon via mailing list and select distributors.