Andrew Murray 90+ Point Reds

Tasting notes & discussion 233

Typically run between $25 - $65/bottle from Andrew Murray Vineyards
Vintage 2016 - 2018 from Santa Barbara County and Santa Ynez Valley
All six of these wines have received scores of 90+ from publications and critics such as Wine Enthusiast, Jeb Dunnuck, Vinous, and Wine & Spirits
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KS; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TN; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
All orders placed after 12:30am (eastern) 9/24/2020 will be getting the 2017 vintage of the E11even Petite Verdot rather than the 2016 sold earlier.
Sold by Andrew Murray Vineyards, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Andrew Murray Vineyards
Inspired by a trip through the Rhône Valley, Andrew Murray left behind paleontology to pursue his newfound love of Syrah and Viognier. Founding his eponymous Santa Ynez vineyard and winery in 1993, Murray has embarked on a journey fueled by his Passion for Rhône varieties, a desire to Evolve winemaking techniques with each vintage, and the Wisdom accumulated after almost 30 years in winemaking. With a myriad of accolades from the likes of Robert Parker, Jr. and Food & Wine Magazine gilding his wake on the path he’s made thus far, Andrew Murray shows no signs of slowing on his perpetual vinicultural “Kaizen” - an unrelenting pursuit of continuous improvement.

The Murray of the Game

TASTING NOTES:
2017 Syrah, Tous les Jours - “The Syrah Tous les Jours has become synonymous with Great Value. It has also garnered some incredible critical success in publications such as The Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Food and Wine Magazine, Robert Parker, Jr., etc. More importantly it has been our best-selling Syrah, which means that you all enjoy the wine. The 2018 vintage is a bit richer than the 2017 but still dark and full-bodied, with gentle tannins. It is truly a pleasure to drink, especially at the price. Lots of fruit and spices here…no need to wax poetic about this one as it tastes just plain yummy.” (AbV 14.5%)

2017 Syrah, Alisos - “…a cooler climate style Syrah. We employed nearly 25% whole clusters in the fermenters and a tiny of bit of Viognier as well just to add to the complexity of this Syrah. This age worthy beauty certainly tastes delicious now, but it will hold in your cellar for a decade or more…that is if you can wait that long.” (AbV 14.1%)

2017 Syrah, Estate - “Clone 383 (a French Clone) gives ample fruit, solid structure, and a lovely cool-climate Syrah flavor profile. This clone’s small, round, marble-shaped berry has a tight skin, which results in more structured wines. The qualities of Clone 471 are similar, but with a bit more fruit-forward notes. The U-1 block was grafted a few years ago onto Viognier vines. It has quickly become our favorite block of Syrah and results in a very delicious and complex wine.” (AbV 14.7%)

2017 Espérance - “I think that it is perhaps the best Espérance that we have ever released. All of the extra work yields a rich, concentrated wine with aromas and flavors of ultra-ripe strawberries, black cherries, and blueberries, mixed in with the spiciness of cinnamon and vanilla from the toasty new French Oak.” (AbV 14.8%)

2018 Grenache, Estate - “We were extremely restrictive of yields to ensure that we could ripen, harvest, ferment, age, and bottle a rich, dark, fruity-yet-spicy Grenache. A perfect complement to a dish accompanied with a savory béchamel sauce or hearty casserole, such as a traditional Greek Moussaka. This is certainly a fun drinking wine!“ (AbV 14.8%)

2016 E11even Petit Verdot - “The tiny berries of [the Petit Verdot] yield impossibly dark & complex, yet amazingly balanced & yummy wines. Some exotic spices join in on the fun…cardamom, star anise, violets, sage & cinnamon notes add complexity to the dark red and black fruits. This was one of the most sought after releases from the prior vintage, so we bottled up a bit more this time around from the fantastic 2016 vintage.” (AbV 14.5%)

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Which of these Andrew Murray reds seems most interesting?

2017 Syrah Tous les Jours

2017 Syrah Tous les Jours
2017 Syrah, Alisos Vineyard

2017 Syrah, Alisos Vineyard
2017 Syrah, Estate Grown

2017 Syrah, Estate Grown
2017 Espérance Blend

2017 Espérance Blend
2018 Grenache, Estate Grown

2018 Grenache, Estate Grown
2016 E11even Petit Verdot

2016 E11even Petit Verdot

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