Wow, what an experience. Thanks to you all for weighing in, for thinking about buying and to those who did purchase. I shared the “sell-out” news with our whole (slightly exhausted) winemaking team and they are stoked beyond belief that these rare treats are soon heading your way. Our wines are carefully grown and lovingly crafted by an amazing team of seasoned pros - it is my honor to work along side them every day, each year. Some have been with me since my very first harvest. We are a family. We take care of each other and the wines. Our wines are crafted (all great wines) are crafted with this kind of love. Please know that we are humbled and appreciative of your support. Please enjoy these wines in good health…Thank you!
Opened at room temperature, and tasted after roughly a half hour in the glass. The first impressions were classic Syrah. Full bodied, dark fruit that was muted and indistinct, structured but soft tannins giving a strong black tea note to the finish alongside a definitive note of tobacco.
On the second night the fruit came strongly forward and separated into distinctive notes of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, and the tannins had mellowed to the point where they were no longer particularly notable in the finish.
While fruit forward, it isn’t what I would call jammy. A nice, well rounded Syrah.
Second, the 2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend
Opened at room temperature and tasted after a pop and pour. The Espérance red blend is high in acidity, so it should age well. At this point in both the first and second nights it’s medium to full bodied. It’s a bit green, with wonderfully distinct notes of pomegranate and cranberry. There is very little tannic influence.
On the second night it mellowed a bit but roughly retained the same characteristics , but gained quite a bit of earthiness and some blackberry in the finish that wasn’t present initially.
i’m so jacked about this offer. Andrew mentioned this will be the only time he offers his wines a significant discount this year. please tell you friends about this one.
@Winedavid49 Thanks. I’m trying to avoid another issue like I had recently with the J. Dusi, where the delivery turned out to be when I was out of town, and my attempt to change the delivery date with UPS didn’t work out.
So… could it come as soon as the end of next week? I’ll plan accordingly.
@Winedavid49 True True, we have not done an offer in so long that I cannot remember the last time. This is definitely a one time deal, saved the wines just for Casemates. We had already stopped selling 3 of the wines and were keeping them for our private library - but, the smooth talking folks at Casemates talked us out of them. Thank to you all for taking a chance on these lovely and very limited wines. Hope you all get to take advantage of my temporary insanity (induced by a lack of sleep due to one of the most stressful harvests for me ever - out of the last 30!)
Hey @Winedavid49, perhaps you can get @AndrewMurray to do a Casemates QPR. He seems to know a thing or two about the concept and has access to a few grapes. He might be able to come up with something interesting.
I had two wines to review 2017 Alisos Syrah 2018 Grenache
Due to a shipping address mixup I received my labrat wines late yesterday, but I did open them last night and had a bit of each, and then tasted again first thing this morning before toothpaste and coffee. Since I work in the wine biz, this is not as bizarre as it seems - we do that a lot.
2018 Grenache
Of the two, the Grenache was my personal fav and if this deal were 6 of those, I’d jump in with both feet. It was lighter in color but not in weight and certainly not in flavor and bright, delicious acidity. I’d drink this with just about any food and it’s very “stand-alone-ish” in the sense that I’d also just pour it to drink while not eating too. And I don’t say that about a lot of reds, other than pinot noir.
As I said, it carried great weight across the palate both last night and again this morning. What it does lack in aroma - weirdly mostly missing - it made up for in flavor with super dark cherry notes and a spice I couldn’t quite grasp. Cranberry and terrific acidity balance it out and seriously - to me - this is great everyday food wine. Maybe not for your bone-in with bluecheese sauce, but for stuff I eat everyday - grilled chicken, porkchops, red-sauce stuff, this is really perfect. I loved it.
2017 Alisos Syrah
I also had the '17 Alisos Syrah. This is a well-made wine with great balance, and it is, as the TNs say - very typical Syrah- dense, chewy, a lot of black fruit but none that really jumped out to me, except for a hint of blueberry on my 2nd tasting this morning. The weight is heavy (now, but will mellow) and the tannins are really up front. The acidity is good and I agree with the winery’s notes that this will age very well, and based on professional experience I’d guess that the fruits will become more pronounced as the wine ages and the tannins mellow down some. it’s a bit of a monster now and I certainly would not open it for 2020 Thanksgiving, but I can see this being a beautiful wine down the road. If I were needing to drink it now, I’d probably decant for several hours.
I loved the acid on both of these wines and agree that these cool-climate vineyards really are giving us some nice bottles. The Grenache is lovely and the Alisos Syrah certainly worth the price of admission.
I will try my best to taste again in a few hours, work-permitting, and if I can I will chime back in !!!
@tastebud Thanks for taking the time to review - stoked you appreciated them, especially the next morning - before toothpaste. Love to hear your thoughts after you try them again. The Alisos is from a selection of older vines on a South facing slope -organically farmed. It is a quintessential Alisos Canyon AVA Syrah - lots of brooding notes, but def. some fruit hiding in there too… it will reward the patient. Cheers
I have been purchasing Andrew Murray Wines since the mid 90’s when I came to work in SB Wine, They age amazingly well for the money and drink gloriously in their primary state. Jump in and stock up, this is CA Rhone at its best and most reasonable.
@WesHagen Thanks so much Wes. You are the man. And, congrats again (for all of us) that you were so successful in getting the new Alisos Canyon AVA passed. We have several 2019s that will bear the new appellation. I look forward to sharing those newly minted wines with you next spring. Cheers Wes!!!
PS, humbled to have you weigh in here… (blushing emjoi)
@AndrewMurray This is a great little community, and they definitely BUY! Your 90’s Roasted Slopes were the wines that taught me to age my domestic red Rhones. Bet they are still drinking!
Oh man… Andrew Murray in the house. Reminds me of the days when I used to find wine for WineDavid… This is, always has been, and always will be good juice… Well done WD.
LabRat Lunchtime review- part deux. Wines open since about 6 pm last night Eastern Time.
I snuck a few more slugs of these with my lunch and they both have opened up really nicely. The Grenache has gotten weightier, more full bodied and, if possible, it even looks darker in the glass. Weird! It was really tasting great and again, I’d buy this wine for sure. A definitive raspberry note was there, the spice seemed more in the background, and the acid was still very persistent.
The Syrah (Alisos) was definitely more mellow, less tannic, more “drinkable now” and, while still a pretty big wine, it was much more food-friendly and did not overpower everything. A mingle of black brambly fruits, acid still there and a much less-tannic mouth-feel. It’s not “smooth” yet, but in more time I think it would be.
I would still choose the Grenache with food as a drink NOW, but I can see this Syrah being a gorgeous wine for table in another year or two or 5.
@tastebud Nice… Thanks for taking time out of your lunch break to further update the Community with your thoughts… We all appreciate your comments! Around the winery, we regularly dip into some wine during our harvest lunches - yesterday it was Burgundy and Rhone (of course for inspiration and research only
@InFrom
Thanks for the memory - Yes, perhaps the last time we participated in such an offer. I remember well since we were excited to increase our audience and it was after the crash of 2008…crazy times. Thanks for chiming in. It will most likely be about this long before we can participate again…
@AndrewMurray@rjquillin Welcome! We need to get your winery tag. So excited to have you here! Can’t find your lovely wines where I live and certainly not at this price.
@danandlisa
Sorry the wines are not found locally - most of these on offer are ONLY sold from the winery anyhow - just too limited for broader distro. Thanks for the hello and enthusiasm. I am stoked to have our wines on offer. We can all use an amazing deal, right now more than ever…
OK. This sounds like great wine…but I have only gone over the magic (for me) $200/case mark a handful of times in the years I have been on Casemates/WW (Winesmith, Two Jakes, Iron Horse, Furthermore, Gard, maybe Wellington back in the day). Thanks to Casemates we have a decent supply of pretty good wine in the cellar, but then again most of what I know about wine has come from Casemates and this forum so I have a limited knowledge of vintners outside of the ones that have shown up here in the past. And I wasn’t here in 2009 With all due respect to Andrew Murray, and knowing how individual and subjective wine tasting can be, would one or more of the forum members help convince me that this is the one case in six months to just say to hell with it and indulge in a true, outside the ordinary experience? For the record my wife loves Australian Shiraz but doesn’t like to spend more than $10 per bottle…we live in the Finger Lakes region of NY and can get any number of very nice white wines, but are still looking for full bodied reds in the area (even with some Cornell hybrids starting to look good along Conesus Lake).
@gillisr If you saw my comment, I have never tried one of his wines. So, this is simply an observation. (And, I agree with over 200 a case should require some nudging.)
First, 90+ point wine? Whatever. Ratings are wildly subjective and often not blind.
Second, the rats had a lot of good things to say. The winemaker participated almost instantly. He does have quite the reputation.
Third, I like Rhone varietals and Rhone Rangers. My only question is what the 60 dollar bottle is, the PV, I assume? Even if the price is slightly inflated, if the wines work out the way everyone is talking about this is a great deal.
Finally, I believe–with the case production numbers–that this will likely sell out. I hate not being in a club that I could’ve joined.
Hey there. Yes, I am around off and on today since we are in the midst of harvest. Our Estate Syrah is the most expensive (and rarest) bottle in the line up BTW. I have been lucky enough to craft honest and affordable bottles of wine for 30 years. The 2017 vintage was truly special. I can promise you all that we did not release these wines to the Casemates community lightly. The Casemates team works hard to secure allocations of yummy wines. They have been relentless, always checking in with me and reminding me that they supported me a long time ago. So, we relented and decided to release some wine that we were saving for future library releases. We did not have enough, so we needed to augment with a Future release (truly not released anywhere Syrah) and a 2018 Estate Grenache - current release because we were so proud of it. I told them the price that we should sell for - seemed fair. They then beat me up to guarantee an even better price for you all. I can promise you that there is no better deal anywhere for our wines. Yes, there are most likely better deals for other wines. And, yes, these wines are most likely not for everyone and every palate, but the cross section represented in this offer certainly delivers a variety of price points and styles - from Wednesday wines to special occasion wines - easy one stop shopping.
specifically to @gillisr, our wines will be a bit lighter (not by much - we make rich, age worthy wines) and probably more complex than the average $10 Shiraz. I did my initial training in OZ, granted that was back in 1991, but my observation of Shiraz on the more affordable end of the spectrum will tend be fruitier and jammier. We just cannot achieve that level of ripeness in our cool climes around the winery. So, our wines will have ripe fruit for days, but also fresh, natural acidity and some varietal complexity - pepper, forest floor, tar, and French Oak that help to keep the wines balanced. While I want everyone to love and drink our wines, I also do not want you (anyone) to invest in a case that they may not appreciate. Yeah, I know that I am horrible at sales. That is why is stick to growing and crafting more than selling I hope you take the leap and let me know personally (Andrew at AndrewMurrayVineyards.com) if you enjoy them (or not). Thanks for chiming and considering bringing our wines into your home(s).
@gillisr I would say another strong point in favor of this (it is at the upper end of my typical price range too) is that with this, you get 6 different wines (either 1 or 2 of each). And that’s really nice from a “learning about new stuff” perspective. A fine Syrah is an excellent thing (though I haven’t had these), and you get 4 different ones, plus 2 other different wines, which are actually the ones that are of most interest to me (and others, according to the poll at the bottom of the main page!).
Fair enough! I have been trying to control my “Fear of Missing Out” impulses, but my wife’s birthday is coming up, I like the idea of a mixed case, and I, too, like Rhone varietals and blends. In for a case
The couple Wine Enthusiast reviews:
2016 E11even petit verdot
91 Points. Char and tar aromas meet with dried berry, soy and bloody roasted meats on the nose of this bottling. The palate is quite dry with hints of iodine, sliced beef and a lighter hint of violet and riper cassis. MK 9/1/20
2018 Tous les Jours syrah
93 points. Editors’ Choice. This bang-for-the-buck bottling out of the Central Coast kicks off with aromas of lavender, rosemary and purple fruits that lead into a hearty palate, where blue fruit, asphalt and cracked pepper flavors arise. Strong acidity and elegant tannins ensure cellar worthiness as well. MK 9/1/20
I have wanted to try Andrew Murray wines, but I don’t believe in any previous offer that Vermont was on the list. Hi from the east coast- and thanks for adding us!
In for a case.
Andrew- any thoughts on the drinking window for these?
/giphy whiny-exultant-bushbaby
first off, thank you! Your mileage may vary from wine to wine… 2018 Syrah Tous les Jours - this is the “biggest” and highest scoring vintage of this wine ever - super proud of it. It is always meant to be enjoyed on the younger side - 1-3 years (they age much better, but why wait?)
2017 Syrah Estate Grown - a very special wine for me. We sold our old estate back in 2005. We stopped crafting an estate Syrah until 2015, after a few years of re-working our new estate (the old Curtis Estate). We are really starting to hit our stride. It is a blend of clones 383 and 471 - aged in 25% (ish new French Oak). It is big, rich, and balanced wine - it is enjoyable now with some decanting or it can be held for a decade and more. 2017 Esperance - this is the most drinkable wine right this minute - full of red fruits and some baking spices - softer, ripe, goes down too easy. Drink now or hold for 5-7.
2018 Grenache - loved some of the community notes about it gaining weight and color - this wine is a bit of an enigma to me. Starts off nice after opening, but it always feels like there must be more there. It strangely gains wait with time (don’t we all, thought most wines do not). The freshness doesn’t depart, it just gets richer with air. I tend to like Grenache younger, but this sure feels like it has a nice long life ahead of it - drinkable? yes, but sure to be even better in 5-7.
2017 Alisos Vineyard Syrah - I love this wine and this vineyard (crazily, the owners have taken the vineyard out of production - sadly) so this will be one of our last Alisos bottlings. This wine is always mid-weight and the most structured of our wines, tasting more like it came from across the pond (but with no stinky barnyard Tart red fruits, iodine, breakfast meats - complex, without ever being “big”. This wine is surely not yet at its best. It will continue to improve for a decade.
2016 E11even Petit Verdot - damn, I love this wine. We grow 150 acres now, much of it grapes we sell under contract to others. Petit Verdot has fallen out of fashion in Bordeaux. the name signifies the “little green one” - no one wants that in Bordeaux anymore. On our estate, the wine delivers the most insane complexity - metaphorically like the most complex Indian or Thai food you could imagine. Fruity and spicy, dark dark dark, but balanced. It is drinking well now, but I suspect this will be singing in another 5+ years.
Thanks!
2017 Petit Verdot - it was an awesome vintage. Of course the 2016 is more drinkable right now just due to it being 1 year older. Oh, how I love the 2017. It is just a smidge darker and richer than the 2016, but it will take a bit longer to really reveal itself. I would hold for another 3-6 months, then enjoy over the next 5-7 years.
@AndrewMurray
Any chance you could provide an update, or did I miss it, for the '17 PV? lmk when/if you do and I’ll edit into the above post for ease of future reference.
@rjquillin
2017 Petit Verdot - it was an awesome vintage. Of course the 2016 is more drinkable right now just due to it being 1 year older. Oh, how I love the 2017. It is just a smidge darker and richer than the 2016, but it will take a bit longer to really reveal itself. I would hold for another 3-6 months, then enjoy over the next 5-7 years.
@InFrom@rjquillin Wow, this is all so unexpected. Wonderful news (well sort of). I am so DELIGHTED to know these wines are headed to so many of you in this passionate community. Thank you for welcoming me in and for bringing our wines home…Enjoy in good health!
Just wanted to drop a note that this was a fantastic buy - wish I’d gone for two cases! My first Andrew Murray wines. I’ve tried both Syrah’s, the GSM and the Grenache so far, and all are excellent. I think they are my new favorite in the US (since Wellington isn’t an option anymore). Thank you, Casemates and Andrew!
I’ve been keeping my eye out for a mix pack of something higher end to have on hand for the holidays. Puts me over budget and I’m OK with that. Just this once…
/giphy chilly-guided-side
@WCCWineGirl Fun fact about this clip - this part of Rex’s book (the book that became the movie) was written about another wine - a famous (infamous) Pinot Noir. If you have ever seen the movie, this scene stands out as rather odd - they are drinking our Syrah, yet talking about Pinot Noir and falling in love… The set designer lived in our guest house during the filming of Sideways. Jane was her name, an incredible lady. SO fun. Anyhow, she and director Payne decided they wanted to place our wines in a prominent scene. I said sure, since it seemed like such a silly movie that I thought only a handful of peeps might even see it. Oh well, for a minute, I became the poster child of higher alcohol wines - though the wine in the movie (Our renowned Roasted Slope was in fact one of the lowest alc wines we ever made - hilarious right?) Another fun (strange) fact, I only told my adult children about the movie 3 years ago (they are 22 and 19 now) - they were blown away when they saw it and were mad at me for keeping them from it. One of the friends saw it and told them about it… Now you know the rest of the story…
@GatorFL@Winedavid49 Damn, @Winedavid49 is twisting arms - it seems like there may actually be a few more available, with an even higher scoring replacement wine(same wine, newer vintage) - stay tuned…
Whew! Thank you @winedavid49 and @andrewmurray for opening up the new edition for us! Looking forward to trying our first Murray wines!
/giphy aberrant-dangling-bridge
I waffled on this. I have too much wine right now (more like not enough storage space lol). But y’all convinced me to go ahead and get the case. Shh don’t tell my husband.
and from Jonathan Ammons in WNC Magazine. Everyone knows and has a subscription to WNC Mag right? Right? (Mountain Living In Western North Carolina) …
2017 Andrew Murray “Esperance” GSM
Santa Ynez, CA » $25
Aged in new French oak, this rich blend of grenache, syrah, and mourvedre offers hints of black cherry, black raspberry, plum, and dried basil—a proper alternative for Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Spring 2020
@WkdPanda THANKS. SO. MUCH.
Sorry if this is a double up? Seems like my previous comment did not go live? Maybe my computer glitched? I did have to step away for our annual Fire Inspection - why always in the middle of harvest? Though, I am glad the Fire Dept. cares - fires have been brutal across the west, especially so in CA. We passed our inspection, thankfully. Back to harvest!
WOW! I’ve been on the sidelines drinking down the 4+ cases I had on hand because of the shutdowns. And I had those here just before the really hot weather came. Today the weather broke, it was 69 degrees this morning here, excited to order a case of this.
Happy this offer was still available after reading through all the comments. Stoked to see so much input from you, Andrew - you’re a better salesman than you might think! Your honesty is valued and as a fellow Californian we are more than happy to support. Looking forward to popping some AM corks (in the PM… maybe?) soon.
Thanks You ! I kept coming back after the case sold out and was able to snag one for the southern compound. It should arrive in FL about the same time as me. Looking forward to both, Christmas in October !
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Andrew Murray 90+ Point Reds - $70 = 23.32%
If we didn’t already have a couple of cases of AMV wine stocked up (been club members for a few years now) we would have been all over this. To all the people who are trying this for the first time, you are sure to enjoy!
My big concern with this offer is that I have to wait ~5 yrs to get the best out of these wines. I’m not a patient man! Please tell me that if I dip into these before then that I’ll get a great wine!
Man, if I wasn’t full up on reds needing several years to settle, I’d be in. Alisos Syrah is a personal favorite–it captures wild cool climate aromatics, yet has power and structure like a warmer climate Syrah. The PV also looks very intriguing. I haven’t tasted AM wines in a while, though I recall they tend to be in a heartier style.
I opened a bottle of the Espérance red blend tonight with family since the vintner in the notes opined it would be ready now and wow, was that ever true. I cannot believe the bottles they recommend laying for three to five years will ever come close to making it that long. The Espérance was very smooth and very fruit forward. I agree with @DebRVA; wish I had purchased two cases, at least based on the one bottle opened already!
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.
We feel the wine makes an ideal “House Wine”, the wine you open just for the heck of it or just to pour a single glass, the rest to be enjoyed later. And at this price, why not? However, we do not skimp on the winemaking for this wine. We start with great grapes from Paso Robles and the Santa Ynez Valley and use the different climates to create a wine that is both fruity and spicy at the same time. I use my experiences with both New World and Old World style winemaking to make the most drinkable Syrah imaginable.
This is only the 5th release of this single vineyard Syrah from the Organically Farmed Alisos Vineyard along Alisos Canyon Road, just around the corner from the winery. It is across the road from Thompson Vineyard and down the road from Watch Hill Vineyard. This neighborhood is definitely a sweet spot for 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.
Specs
Vintage: 2017
Appellation: Santa Barbara County
Vineyard: Alisos Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 300 Cases
2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown
Tasting Notes
95+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
The Curtis Estate is approximately 100 acres of uplifted, gently sloping vines, in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Here the vines are 15 to 47 years old. Though we have several Syrah blocks, our Estate Syrah is from the U-1 Block that is divided into 2 sub-blocks, A (Clone 471) and B (Clone 383). 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. We are so excited to be producing an Estate Syrah, something we have done since 2005! The wine was bottled after 18 months in French Oak Barrels, 33% of which were new.
This rich red is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 15% Syrah. It was given a more serious winemaking regimen with a bit more new oak. I also chose a “bigger” Syrah to blend in with the Grenache and Mourvedre, so the resulting wine is a bit more “profound”. 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.
Specs
Vintage: 2017
Varietals: 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre, 15% Syrah
Appellation: Santa Ynez Valley, California
Vineyard: Curtis Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.8%
2018 Andrew Murray Grenache, Estate Grown
Tasting Notes
94 Points - Vinous 90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
On the hillsides of the Curtis Estate above the winery, you will find meticulously farmed rows of Grenache clone 513. This Estate Grown offering demonstrates, without a doubt, the extra hand and ground work cultivated in the vineyard. 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!
Specs
Vintage: 2018
Appellation: Santa Ynez Valley, California
Vineyard: Curtis Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 400 Cases
2016 E11even Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Petit Verdot has fallen out of favor in Bordeaux because of its tendency to ripen later than the other classic varieties, which can be very problematic in cooler or wet vintages. Also, the shoots are often weak and short and struggle to fill the wire. The name in French translates loosely to the “the little green one” due to both of the aforementioned challenges. Thankfully, just as it was being ripped out of vineyards in Bordeaux in the 1960s, it was planted experimentally in the new world as a blending grape to provide aromatic lift and color. It has flourished since then and it is now known as a very important blender that, given just the right spot, can really shine on its own, like it does on our Estate. The tiny berries of small clusters 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.
Specs
Vintage: 2016
Appellation: Santa Ynez Valley, California
Vineyard: Curtis Vineyard, Block U-3, Clone 400
Alcohol: 14.5%
Production: 250 cases
2017 E11even Petit Verdot
93 points Wine Enthusiast
Specs
Vintage: 2017
Appellation: Santa Ynez Valley, Central Coast, California, US
Vineyard: Curtis Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.5%
Included in the Box
6-bottles:
1x 2018 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours
1x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Alisos Vineyard
1x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown
1x 2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend
1x 2018 Andrew Murray Grenache, Estate Grown
1x 2016 E11even Petit Verdot
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.
Case:
2x 2018 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours
2x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Alisos Vineyard
2x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown
2x 2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend
2x 2018 Andrew Murray Grenache, Estate Grown
2x 2016 E11even Petit Verdot
Price Comparison
$472 a case for 2x 2018 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours, 2x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Alisos Vineyard, 2x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown, 2x 2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend, 2x 2018 Andrew Murray Grenache, Estate Grown, 2x 2016 E11even Petit Verdot
Andrew Murray fell in love with the emerging Rhône varieties, Syrah and Viognier, in the late 1980’s while traveling through France’s Rhône Valley. Leaving his UC Berkeley paleontology studies behind, he pursued his new mistress, Syrah, with an internship in Australia. His three-month tryst evolved into a 15-month romance with the famed Australian Shiraz. Returning to the states, he earned a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enology from UC Davis’ renowned wine program, then founded his eponymous Santa Ynez winery and vineyard.
He sought out growers who shared his passion for excellence and who dared to farm their vines to perilously low yields with the most advanced viticultural methods in the industry. This uncompromising winemaker’s lucid philosophy is summarized succinctly in three words: Passion – Evolution – Wisdom; the Passion of an unflagging love affair with Rhône varieties; the Evolution of winemaking techniques where even the most subtle nuance is divined from each new vintage; and the Wisdom gained with 20 years of winemaking experience.
Andrew’s focus and dedication to his craft have culminated in what Robert Parker, Jr. calls, “…one of the shining stars in the Santa Barbara firmament.” This perennially youthful perfectionist has been named ‘Tastemaker of the Year’ by Food and Wine Magazine, as well as, ‘One of the most fearsome talents in food and wine.’ Still, despite myriad accolades, Andrew remains the same modest, approachable, contemplative man he was when he first embarked to Australia back in 1992. He is eternally committed to vinicultural ‘Kaizen’ – the unrelenting pursuit of continuous improvement.
As Robert Parker, Jr. put it, “…Andrew Murray’s offerings are a breath of fresh air given their exceptionally high quality and realistic prices – reader take note.” We hope you’ll come visit us and delight in sampling the fruits of Andrew’s passionate labors.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Wish I could! Had an Andrew Murray offer from the old site way back when and I remember enjoying it. I had a visit to the winery after I moved to LA and remember being unimpressed (style things - too fruity, not enough acidity). But I really want to try the PV! I love that grape and would be very interested in trying this version.
So if any SoCal people want to send a bottle of the PV my way, let me know…
I always like my fun order numbers:
Festive and guilty are what I feel about clicking Buy.
Mulberry I’m not sure about but maybe mulberry tastes like Petit Verdot?
@rjquillin@TimW@Winedavid49 Thanks @winedavid49! Just ordered a case with the 2017 E11elveven PV… feel like I scored an IRK, lol. Thanks for making this happen
I rage closed my browser after seeing this comment, assuming it had sold out while I had been getting hyped up by the other comments. I also was experiencing the taunting “not sold out” home page “sold out” error, then saw the comment above and left. Glad I came back, in for a case!
@jeckman223 No rage here…only love. Sorry about the confusion. I am not even sure of how this whole thing operates. I just know that I promised some of the next vintage of Petit Verdot if we miraculously sold out. BTW, of the few peeps who know about our E11even Wines, our Petit Verdot is usually everyone’s favorite discovery when they visit our small tasting room in DTLO (Down Town Los Olivos) - a tiny town north of Santa Barbra by about 30 minutes. We also make a kick a$$ Cab Franc from our Estate. The PV and CF are standout wines from E11even for sure…Thanks for coming back and for bringing a case into your home. Hope you love the wines!
@AndrewMurray thanks for the reply! I’m sorry if I sounded a bit dramatic, the real point was my excitement to be able to snag a case, I look forward to the wine.
@jeckman223 No apologies. I 100% understood what you were saying - I was just playing off your drama. Just kidding myself. Strangely, feels like Friday and a Monday. I am crazy busy like it is a Monday, yet also a bit flippant and jubilant like its a Friday, like I have big plans this weekend - nope, just more winemaking. Though, truthfully, all days are Mondays during Harvest…really awesome Mondays. Thanks again. Drop me a line sometime and let me know what you thought of the wine.
@AndrewMurray While I can’t go in on this offer due to money and space constraints, I will be powerless to resist if you make an offering of PV and CF! Just saying…
@klezman Understood and duly noted. Maybe in the future. We just released the 2018 to our E11even Fan Club Members…they always get it first. Thanks for the idea…
Regarding this disclaimer, “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.” Shouldn’t the correct time be 12:30pm as in thirty minutes after noon EST? Just wanted to clarify for those who placed orders between 12:00 am and 12:30 pm. Thanks!!
@jimmyd103@rjquillin Yes, the 2016 E11even Petit Verdot was the limiting factor for the first release. @Winedavid49 told me that he needed access to more wine - I explained the nature of the 2016 PV. I then told him that I could release a very small amount of the 2017 to this offer as well, if we sold out (which truly seemed like an impossibility). He knows this Community way better than I do of course. The 2017 Petit Verdot is another awesome wine by E11even, from a ripe vintage. I am equally proud of both of the vintages of PV…just so you know. The fact that we moved onto the 2017 is a delightful surprise to me. I cannot overstate how humbled and thankful I am. Cheers to you all!
@cortot@klezman@davirom@halwarning@scottw59
Well, reviewing purchases to update the ss, I see I ended up with two cases, I think when I was checking to see if cases could be ordered again an order actually got placed; sigh.
@rjquillin A day late as the saying goes. I would have been happy with a split but I have a full case coming my way already. There was a lot of interest in this wine, I hope you find some takers.
Just a quick note to the community at large, that you cannot legally send alcohol, as a private individual, to another individual; you have to go through a 3rd party licensed to deliver it. In some states, it is even a felony to try and do so.
Just figured I’d pass this on, in case someone got the “brainy” idea (like I did). Luckily, I did some research before trying to do it.
@CorTot I’m sure that you could probably do it, who knows how many times, kind of like speeding, but the problem is that you are still under liability from the law. For those folks that live in a state where it carries the weight of a felony, a lifetime of disability, under the law, hardly seems worth it.
I have no idea why it is as it is, only that it is.
@CorTot@rjquillin
One other thing, if you ever have something that you’re not too sure of, make sure it doesn’t have thick, slimy, blobs suspended in it somewhere.
We had already made the mistake of tasting it, before we discovered that wonderful, protoplasmic mass in it.
@CorTot@CroutonOllie
I have shipped wine via USPS Priority mail at least a dozen times. Never had a problem. I package it, print the postage and drop it off at the Post Office. I know it is technically not allowed but it works for me!
@chipgreen@CorTot
That’s great, but still leaves you vulnerable under the law.
I spent my life, most of it, with the ideas of duty and obligation firmly ingrained. Not so much with “status” type things, things that wouldn’t be a crime if you were older, but doing otherwise, as an adult, would leave me no recourse but to say “guilty”, if charged.
I do not like affording a system control over my life, or pocketbook, so I decline.
Wow- just had one of my bottles of the 2018 Syrah Tous les Jours last night- that was excellent. Amazing nose and finish… glad I have another, and the 2017 Estate Syrahs still. Thank you Andrew!
Wow, what an experience. Thanks to you all for weighing in, for thinking about buying and to those who did purchase. I shared the “sell-out” news with our whole (slightly exhausted) winemaking team and they are stoked beyond belief that these rare treats are soon heading your way. Our wines are carefully grown and lovingly crafted by an amazing team of seasoned pros - it is my honor to work along side them every day, each year. Some have been with me since my very first harvest. We are a family. We take care of each other and the wines. Our wines are crafted (all great wines) are crafted with this kind of love. Please know that we are humbled and appreciative of your support. Please enjoy these wines in good health…Thank you!
For this offer, I had two bottles to review.
First, the
2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown
Opened at room temperature, and tasted after roughly a half hour in the glass. The first impressions were classic Syrah. Full bodied, dark fruit that was muted and indistinct, structured but soft tannins giving a strong black tea note to the finish alongside a definitive note of tobacco.
On the second night the fruit came strongly forward and separated into distinctive notes of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, and the tannins had mellowed to the point where they were no longer particularly notable in the finish.
While fruit forward, it isn’t what I would call jammy. A nice, well rounded Syrah.
Second, the
2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend
Opened at room temperature and tasted after a pop and pour. The Espérance red blend is high in acidity, so it should age well. At this point in both the first and second nights it’s medium to full bodied. It’s a bit green, with wonderfully distinct notes of pomegranate and cranberry. There is very little tannic influence.
On the second night it mellowed a bit but roughly retained the same characteristics , but gained quite a bit of earthiness and some blackberry in the finish that wasn’t present initially.
@xandersherry thank you for the review and the pics. love the color of the wine. & thanks for doing 2
@WCCWineGirl My pleasure! When it comes to wine, I generally prefer two to one.
i’m so jacked about this offer. Andrew mentioned this will be the only time he offers his wines a significant discount this year. please tell you friends about this one.
@Winedavid49 thanks!!! Great offer, and I love mixed cases!
@Winedavid49 He was on my wish list. Thank you so very much. I have loved his wines for many, many years.
@Winedavid49 How accurate is the shipping estimate on this one?
@InFrom @Winedavid49
How accurate is the list of states that it ships to?
@chipgreen @Winedavid49
@chipgreen @InFrom VERY conservative.
@Winedavid49 Thanks. I’m trying to avoid another issue like I had recently with the J. Dusi, where the delivery turned out to be when I was out of town, and my attempt to change the delivery date with UPS didn’t work out.
So… could it come as soon as the end of next week? I’ll plan accordingly.
@Winedavid49 True True, we have not done an offer in so long that I cannot remember the last time. This is definitely a one time deal, saved the wines just for Casemates. We had already stopped selling 3 of the wines and were keeping them for our private library - but, the smooth talking folks at Casemates talked us out of them. Thank to you all for taking a chance on these lovely and very limited wines. Hope you all get to take advantage of my temporary insanity (induced by a lack of sleep due to one of the most stressful harvests for me ever - out of the last 30!)
@InFrom @Winedavid49
42 states + DC, looks like an “all-in” offer?
Hey @Winedavid49, perhaps you can get @AndrewMurray to do a Casemates QPR. He seems to know a thing or two about the concept and has access to a few grapes. He might be able to come up with something interesting.
Lab Rat Report, a little late sorry!
I had two wines to review
2017 Alisos Syrah
2018 Grenache
Due to a shipping address mixup I received my labrat wines late yesterday, but I did open them last night and had a bit of each, and then tasted again first thing this morning before toothpaste and coffee. Since I work in the wine biz, this is not as bizarre as it seems - we do that a lot.
2018 Grenache
Of the two, the Grenache was my personal fav and if this deal were 6 of those, I’d jump in with both feet. It was lighter in color but not in weight and certainly not in flavor and bright, delicious acidity. I’d drink this with just about any food and it’s very “stand-alone-ish” in the sense that I’d also just pour it to drink while not eating too. And I don’t say that about a lot of reds, other than pinot noir.
As I said, it carried great weight across the palate both last night and again this morning. What it does lack in aroma - weirdly mostly missing - it made up for in flavor with super dark cherry notes and a spice I couldn’t quite grasp. Cranberry and terrific acidity balance it out and seriously - to me - this is great everyday food wine. Maybe not for your bone-in with bluecheese sauce, but for stuff I eat everyday - grilled chicken, porkchops, red-sauce stuff, this is really perfect. I loved it.
2017 Alisos Syrah
I also had the '17 Alisos Syrah. This is a well-made wine with great balance, and it is, as the TNs say - very typical Syrah- dense, chewy, a lot of black fruit but none that really jumped out to me, except for a hint of blueberry on my 2nd tasting this morning. The weight is heavy (now, but will mellow) and the tannins are really up front. The acidity is good and I agree with the winery’s notes that this will age very well, and based on professional experience I’d guess that the fruits will become more pronounced as the wine ages and the tannins mellow down some. it’s a bit of a monster now and I certainly would not open it for 2020 Thanksgiving, but I can see this being a beautiful wine down the road. If I were needing to drink it now, I’d probably decant for several hours.
I loved the acid on both of these wines and agree that these cool-climate vineyards really are giving us some nice bottles. The Grenache is lovely and the Alisos Syrah certainly worth the price of admission.
I will try my best to taste again in a few hours, work-permitting, and if I can I will chime back in !!!
@tastebud Thanks for taking the time to review - stoked you appreciated them, especially the next morning - before toothpaste. Love to hear your thoughts after you try them again. The Alisos is from a selection of older vines on a South facing slope -organically farmed. It is a quintessential Alisos Canyon AVA Syrah - lots of brooding notes, but def. some fruit hiding in there too… it will reward the patient. Cheers
@tastebud Thank you for ratting especially with two late arriving bottles.
I have been purchasing Andrew Murray Wines since the mid 90’s when I came to work in SB Wine, They age amazingly well for the money and drink gloriously in their primary state. Jump in and stock up, this is CA Rhone at its best and most reasonable.
@WesHagen Thanks so much Wes. You are the man. And, congrats again (for all of us) that you were so successful in getting the new Alisos Canyon AVA passed. We have several 2019s that will bear the new appellation. I look forward to sharing those newly minted wines with you next spring. Cheers Wes!!!
PS, humbled to have you weigh in here… (blushing emjoi)
@AndrewMurray @WesHagen thanks for the call out Wes!
@AndrewMurray This is a great little community, and they definitely BUY!
Your 90’s Roasted Slopes were the wines that taught me to age my domestic red Rhones. Bet they are still drinking!
Oh man… Andrew Murray in the house. Reminds me of the days when I used to find wine for WineDavid…
This is, always has been, and always will be good juice… Well done WD.
@neilfindswine I have missed reading your posts. I agree! Why is this not gone yet? Love Andrew’s wines.
@neilfindswine @AndrewMurray
And the winemaker participation for this is off the charts!
Andrew, thanks for hanging out with us.
It has a huge impact.
And don’t stay away for such a long time.
@AndrewMurray @neilfindswine @rjquillin Here here! Mr. Murray, please consider offering your wine here every year!
LabRat Lunchtime review- part deux. Wines open since about 6 pm last night Eastern Time.
I snuck a few more slugs of these with my lunch and they both have opened up really nicely. The Grenache has gotten weightier, more full bodied and, if possible, it even looks darker in the glass. Weird! It was really tasting great and again, I’d buy this wine for sure. A definitive raspberry note was there, the spice seemed more in the background, and the acid was still very persistent.
The Syrah (Alisos) was definitely more mellow, less tannic, more “drinkable now” and, while still a pretty big wine, it was much more food-friendly and did not overpower everything. A mingle of black brambly fruits, acid still there and a much less-tannic mouth-feel. It’s not “smooth” yet, but in more time I think it would be.
I would still choose the Grenache with food as a drink NOW, but I can see this Syrah being a gorgeous wine for table in another year or two or 5.
@tastebud Nice… Thanks for taking time out of your lunch break to further update the Community with your thoughts… We all appreciate your comments! Around the winery, we regularly dip into some wine during our harvest lunches - yesterday it was Burgundy and Rhone (of course for inspiration and research only
I just took a trip down memory lane to November 2009… Idk if those were the first Andrew Murray Syrahs to show on W.Woot, but they were the first I tried: https://wine.woot.com/offers/andrew-murray-syrah-trio
@InFrom
Thanks for the memory - Yes, perhaps the last time we participated in such an offer. I remember well since we were excited to increase our audience and it was after the crash of 2008…crazy times. Thanks for chiming in. It will most likely be about this long before we can participate again…
@AndrewMurray @rjquillin Welcome! We need to get your winery tag. So excited to have you here! Can’t find your lovely wines where I live and certainly not at this price.
@danandlisa
Sorry the wines are not found locally - most of these on offer are ONLY sold from the winery anyhow - just too limited for broader distro. Thanks for the hello and enthusiasm. I am stoked to have our wines on offer. We can all use an amazing deal, right now more than ever…
@danandlisa I think you meant to say @rjquillin. You must have spaced out, as it were.
@danandlisa @InFrom
But it worked and the badge is issued.
Been a busy morning here.
Thanks for filling in.
My first order from casemates… Long-time listener, first-time caller.
/giphy ashamed-slow-vegetable
@jimmyd103 wohoo! thanks very much!
OK. This sounds like great wine…but I have only gone over the magic (for me) $200/case mark a handful of times in the years I have been on Casemates/WW (Winesmith, Two Jakes, Iron Horse, Furthermore, Gard, maybe Wellington back in the day). Thanks to Casemates we have a decent supply of pretty good wine in the cellar, but then again most of what I know about wine has come from Casemates and this forum so I have a limited knowledge of vintners outside of the ones that have shown up here in the past. And I wasn’t here in 2009
With all due respect to Andrew Murray, and knowing how individual and subjective wine tasting can be, would one or more of the forum members help convince me that this is the one case in six months to just say to hell with it and indulge in a true, outside the ordinary experience? For the record my wife loves Australian Shiraz but doesn’t like to spend more than $10 per bottle…we live in the Finger Lakes region of NY and can get any number of very nice white wines, but are still looking for full bodied reds in the area (even with some Cornell hybrids starting to look good along Conesus Lake).
@gillisr If you saw my comment, I have never tried one of his wines. So, this is simply an observation. (And, I agree with over 200 a case should require some nudging.)
First, 90+ point wine? Whatever. Ratings are wildly subjective and often not blind.
Second, the rats had a lot of good things to say. The winemaker participated almost instantly. He does have quite the reputation.
Third, I like Rhone varietals and Rhone Rangers. My only question is what the 60 dollar bottle is, the PV, I assume? Even if the price is slightly inflated, if the wines work out the way everyone is talking about this is a great deal.
Finally, I believe–with the case production numbers–that this will likely sell out. I hate not being in a club that I could’ve joined.
Those were my reasons.
@gillisr @KNmeh7
Hey there. Yes, I am around off and on today since we are in the midst of harvest. Our Estate Syrah is the most expensive (and rarest) bottle in the line up BTW. I have been lucky enough to craft honest and affordable bottles of wine for 30 years. The 2017 vintage was truly special. I can promise you all that we did not release these wines to the Casemates community lightly. The Casemates team works hard to secure allocations of yummy wines. They have been relentless, always checking in with me and reminding me that they supported me a long time ago. So, we relented and decided to release some wine that we were saving for future library releases. We did not have enough, so we needed to augment with a Future release (truly not released anywhere Syrah) and a 2018 Estate Grenache - current release because we were so proud of it. I told them the price that we should sell for - seemed fair. They then beat me up to guarantee an even better price for you all. I can promise you that there is no better deal anywhere for our wines. Yes, there are most likely better deals for other wines. And, yes, these wines are most likely not for everyone and every palate, but the cross section represented in this offer certainly delivers a variety of price points and styles - from Wednesday wines to special occasion wines - easy one stop shopping.
I hope you take the leap and let me know personally (Andrew at AndrewMurrayVineyards.com) if you enjoy them (or not). Thanks for chiming and considering bringing our wines into your home(s).
specifically to @gillisr, our wines will be a bit lighter (not by much - we make rich, age worthy wines) and probably more complex than the average $10 Shiraz. I did my initial training in OZ, granted that was back in 1991, but my observation of Shiraz on the more affordable end of the spectrum will tend be fruitier and jammier. We just cannot achieve that level of ripeness in our cool climes around the winery. So, our wines will have ripe fruit for days, but also fresh, natural acidity and some varietal complexity - pepper, forest floor, tar, and French Oak that help to keep the wines balanced. While I want everyone to love and drink our wines, I also do not want you (anyone) to invest in a case that they may not appreciate. Yeah, I know that I am horrible at sales. That is why is stick to growing and crafting more than selling
@gillisr I would say another strong point in favor of this (it is at the upper end of my typical price range too) is that with this, you get 6 different wines (either 1 or 2 of each). And that’s really nice from a “learning about new stuff” perspective. A fine Syrah is an excellent thing (though I haven’t had these), and you get 4 different ones, plus 2 other different wines, which are actually the ones that are of most interest to me (and others, according to the poll at the bottom of the main page!).
@pmarin @KNmeh7 @AndrewMurray
Fair enough! I have been trying to control my “Fear of Missing Out” impulses, but my wife’s birthday is coming up, I like the idea of a mixed case, and I, too, like Rhone varietals and blends. In for a case
/giphy assured-angry-templar
@gillisr @KNmeh7
Based on CT “Community Average Value” of $55, it is the Estate Syrah.
@gillisr
Suggest you try a Keuka Lake Vineyards Leon Millot or a Red Tail Ridge Winery Dornfelder (but don’t show your wife the receipt!)
@chipgreen I will get right on it. And I never include receipts with birthday gifts, unless they are clothes or jewelry…
Oops, I did it again.
Bought another case when I really shouldn’t be doing such things. Anyone in the Sioux Falls-to-Twin Cities corridor want to split it with me?
Edit: I see it only takes one order to really light up South Dakota on the sales map.
@coynedj Thanks for lighting up SD
Great stuff from even a better guy. Buy with confidence folks - and congrats Andrew!!!
Yup, all gone now.
[edit] From the first offer that is.
@rjquillin, I’m glad i was able to get a case!
@abhiabhi @rjquillin Me too!
First time with this wine, lots of solid reviews and its been a long hard year so some nice wine will be nice!
/giphy confused-fattest-corn
@outdoorslife OK cuteness too much stop doing that.
The couple Wine Enthusiast reviews:
2016 E11even petit verdot
91 Points. Char and tar aromas meet with dried berry, soy and bloody roasted meats on the nose of this bottling. The palate is quite dry with hints of iodine, sliced beef and a lighter hint of violet and riper cassis. MK 9/1/20
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/e11even-2016-curtis-vineyard-petit-verdot-santa-ynez-valley/
2018 Tous les Jours syrah
93 points. Editors’ Choice. This bang-for-the-buck bottling out of the Central Coast kicks off with aromas of lavender, rosemary and purple fruits that lead into a hearty palate, where blue fruit, asphalt and cracked pepper flavors arise. Strong acidity and elegant tannins ensure cellar worthiness as well. MK 9/1/20
https://www.winemag.com/buying-guide/andrew-murray-2018-tous-les-jours-syrah-santa-ynez-valley/
fwiw
Those tastings are just a few days old. Love a wine with some nice soy and iodine flavors
@kaolis heck of a tasting description of the petit Verdot!
I have wanted to try Andrew Murray wines, but I don’t believe in any previous offer that Vermont was on the list. Hi from the east coast- and thanks for adding us!
In for a case.
Andrew- any thoughts on the drinking window for these?
/giphy whiny-exultant-bushbaby
@drgonzo99
first off, thank you! Your mileage may vary from wine to wine…
2018 Syrah Tous les Jours - this is the “biggest” and highest scoring vintage of this wine ever - super proud of it. It is always meant to be enjoyed on the younger side - 1-3 years (they age much better, but why wait?)
2017 Syrah Estate Grown - a very special wine for me. We sold our old estate back in 2005. We stopped crafting an estate Syrah until 2015, after a few years of re-working our new estate (the old Curtis Estate). We are really starting to hit our stride. It is a blend of clones 383 and 471 - aged in 25% (ish new French Oak). It is big, rich, and balanced wine - it is enjoyable now with some decanting or it can be held for a decade and more.
2017 Esperance - this is the most drinkable wine right this minute - full of red fruits and some baking spices - softer, ripe, goes down too easy. Drink now or hold for 5-7.
2018 Grenache - loved some of the community notes about it gaining weight and color - this wine is a bit of an enigma to me. Starts off nice after opening, but it always feels like there must be more there. It strangely gains wait with time (don’t we all, thought most wines do not). The freshness doesn’t depart, it just gets richer with air. I tend to like Grenache younger, but this sure feels like it has a nice long life ahead of it - drinkable? yes, but sure to be even better in 5-7.
2017 Alisos Vineyard Syrah - I love this wine and this vineyard (crazily, the owners have taken the vineyard out of production - sadly) so this will be one of our last Alisos bottlings. This wine is always mid-weight and the most structured of our wines, tasting more like it came from across the pond (but with no stinky barnyard
Tart red fruits, iodine, breakfast meats - complex, without ever being “big”. This wine is surely not yet at its best. It will continue to improve for a decade.
2016 E11even Petit Verdot - damn, I love this wine. We grow 150 acres now, much of it grapes we sell under contract to others. Petit Verdot has fallen out of fashion in Bordeaux. the name signifies the “little green one” - no one wants that in Bordeaux anymore. On our estate, the wine delivers the most insane complexity - metaphorically like the most complex Indian or Thai food you could imagine. Fruity and spicy, dark dark dark, but balanced. It is drinking well now, but I suspect this will be singing in another 5+ years.
Thanks!
2017 Petit Verdot - it was an awesome vintage. Of course the 2016 is more drinkable right now just due to it being 1 year older. Oh, how I love the 2017. It is just a smidge darker and richer than the 2016, but it will take a bit longer to really reveal itself. I would hold for another 3-6 months, then enjoy over the next 5-7 years.
@AndrewMurray
Any chance you could provide an update, or did I miss it, for the '17 PV? lmk when/if you do and I’ll edit into the above post for ease of future reference.
@rjquillin
2017 Petit Verdot - it was an awesome vintage. Of course the 2016 is more drinkable right now just due to it being 1 year older. Oh, how I love the 2017. It is just a smidge darker and richer than the 2016, but it will take a bit longer to really reveal itself. I would hold for another 3-6 months, then enjoy over the next 5-7 years.
MEALS! DEALS! EELS! AWESOME!
@rjquillin I added a CT link for the 2017, right below Cesare’s post. For you cellar trackers out there.
OK: OK: OK; I’m in for a case…Would you just sell-out already Now!!
gullible-windy-name
@PLSemenza Some of us would like a case, so hold your horses.
This really does have the feel of a Friday offer @winedavid49 and kudos for @AndrewMurray being so active here!
Reallocation to more cases?
@rjquillin It shows me able to buy a case now?
@KNmeh7 @rjquillin, I still see Case of 12 sold out at 10:45 AM EST!
@winedavid49 @AndrewMurray, any chance to be able to get that?
@abhiabhi @AndrewMurray @KNmeh7 @Winedavid49
Refresh, enjoy.
It’s the 6’ers that seem to be SO now.
The buy-in just went up.
@AndrewMurray @KNmeh7 @rjquillin @Winedavid49
I was able to snag one too. Thanks folks!
Looking forward to it after so many great reviews and endorsements. Cheers!
@rjquillin
Indeed, right down to the sellout.
@InFrom @rjquillin Wow, this is all so unexpected. Wonderful news (well sort of). I am so DELIGHTED to know these wines are headed to so many of you in this passionate community. Thank you for welcoming me in and for bringing our wines home…Enjoy in good health!
It was quite the party y’all!
Just wanted to drop a note that this was a fantastic buy - wish I’d gone for two cases! My first Andrew Murray wines. I’ve tried both Syrah’s, the GSM and the Grenache so far, and all are excellent. I think they are my new favorite in the US (since Wellington isn’t an option anymore). Thank you, Casemates and Andrew!
@DebRVA there are 3 syrahs. Out of curiosity Which two did you try.
I’ve been keeping my eye out for a mix pack of something higher end to have on hand for the holidays. Puts me over budget and I’m OK with that. Just this once…
/giphy chilly-guided-side
@ludwigmace Hate to mess up the budget…but thanks so much for making the splurge and plunge…I promise its a crazy good deal…Thank you!
Famous Clip from Sideways…
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/508f5f96-6919-46c4-b22d-1bdb29623b7b#Wh8MNzkH8D6.copy
@WCCWineGirl Fun fact about this clip - this part of Rex’s book (the book that became the movie) was written about another wine - a famous (infamous) Pinot Noir. If you have ever seen the movie, this scene stands out as rather odd - they are drinking our Syrah, yet talking about Pinot Noir and falling in love… The set designer lived in our guest house during the filming of Sideways. Jane was her name, an incredible lady. SO fun. Anyhow, she and director Payne decided they wanted to place our wines in a prominent scene. I said sure, since it seemed like such a silly movie that I thought only a handful of peeps might even see it. Oh well, for a minute, I became the poster child of higher alcohol wines - though the wine in the movie (Our renowned Roasted Slope was in fact one of the lowest alc wines we ever made - hilarious right?) Another fun (strange) fact, I only told my adult children about the movie 3 years ago (they are 22 and 19 now) - they were blown away when they saw it and were mad at me for keeping them from it. One of the friends saw it and told them about it… Now you know the rest of the story…
@AndrewMurray What a great backstory. I now feel the need to watch the movie again.
working on a variation of same deal with one replacement. hang tight!
@Winedavid49 Oh man…exciting news!
@GatorFL @Winedavid49 Damn, @Winedavid49 is twisting arms - it seems like there may actually be a few more available, with an even higher scoring replacement wine(same wine, newer vintage) - stay tuned…
@AndrewMurray @GatorFL @Winedavid49
I see both full and half cases are back.
Details!?
Are we now forced to dip into the vat once again for the new jewel?
@AndrewMurray @GatorFL @rjquillin @Winedavid49 if you believe the pictures, it looks like the 2017 Tous les Jours was swapped for the 2018
FOMO got me! That’s 4.5 cases I’ve ordered from Casemates this month!
/giphy miniature-rampant-goldfish
@TimW FOMO for the win… Thanks and Enjoy!
Never had Andrew Murray wines before. Between the community comments, awesome winemaker participation, and sheer FOMO…
/giphy young-dogged-jackalope
KRULL! A SKULL! BRETT HULL! AWESOME!
@jlim13 I am so stoked. Thank you. It was nice to come back to this after sorting fruit outside for the last hour or so… Thank you!
Whew! Thank you @winedavid49 and @andrewmurray for opening up the new edition for us! Looking forward to trying our first Murray wines!
/giphy aberrant-dangling-bridge
@benguin986 NO, Thank you! Damn, that primate has some skills!
I waffled on this. I have too much wine right now (more like not enough storage space lol). But y’all convinced me to go ahead and get the case. Shh don’t tell my husband.
/giphy bland-different-passenger
I really don’t need more reds. I bought it anyhow. Time for an intervention.
Great offer! No brainer. In for a case
/giphy fervent-primo-cork
@losthighwayz Thanks so much…enjoy them in good health!!!
@AndrewMurray we are long time club members and truly enjoy both your wines and hospitality. Visit 3-4 times a year!
Gotta do it - love me some Syrah, and this is such an interesting variety!
/giphy que-sers-sera
@DebRVA Thank you!!!
and from Jonathan Ammons in WNC Magazine. Everyone knows and has a subscription to WNC Mag right? Right? (Mountain Living In Western North Carolina) …
2017 Andrew Murray “Esperance” GSM
Santa Ynez, CA » $25
Aged in new French oak, this rich blend of grenache, syrah, and mourvedre offers hints of black cherry, black raspberry, plum, and dried basil—a proper alternative for Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Spring 2020
@kaolis cool- where are you? I went to Appy State and lived on in Boone for a while, before they super-sized it…lol. I’m just over the ridge in TN now
@kaolis nice to know there are a few other WNC people out there. I’m in Asheville.
@vandemusser @tastebud Nah I’m down in SC, between Savannah and Charleston. But like your neck of the woods
Had to jump in for a case. I’ve had a couple of the Murray wines, and liked them. Great price on these.
/giphy vorpal-literal-beggar
@WkdPanda THANKS. SO. MUCH.
Sorry if this is a double up? Seems like my previous comment did not go live? Maybe my computer glitched? I did have to step away for our annual Fire Inspection - why always in the middle of harvest? Though, I am glad the Fire Dept. cares - fires have been brutal across the west, especially so in CA. We passed our inspection, thankfully. Back to harvest!
/giphy militant-rambunctious-manager
NE Ohio in the mix, Sounds delicious
@pjmartin Thank you Thank You!
@pjmartin what took you all so long?!
@ttboy23 @mrn1 “somebody” was on a bike ride and we were waiting for each other to blink first and push us over the edge
@pjmartin I finally got around to taking a look here…and I’m glad you reach out yesterday and got us a case!
/giphy mindless-national-bee
With ttboy23 doing the heavy lifting. Excited!
My first purchase since Wine Woot! Couldn’t resist. Looking forward to my case.
@klinemic Well that is a special event. Welcome back, brother (or sister.)
@klinemic Woot! Thanks so much!
@klinemic yay! thanks for jumping in!
WOW! I’ve been on the sidelines drinking down the 4+ cases I had on hand because of the shutdowns. And I had those here just before the really hot weather came. Today the weather broke, it was 69 degrees this morning here, excited to order a case of this.
@GatorFL Yes, yes, yes. Enjoy the fall weather and the wine. Thank you!
@AndrewMurray Got in before the sellout. Congrats!
Never tried Andrew Murray. The wine buying spree continues…
/giphy painted-dusty-roll
@hscottk Thanks for taking a chance on our wines. I hope they deliver on your expectations!
Happy this offer was still available after reading through all the comments. Stoked to see so much input from you, Andrew - you’re a better salesman than you might think! Your honesty is valued and as a fellow Californian we are more than happy to support. Looking forward to popping some AM corks (in the PM… maybe?) soon.
Due to all the of the glowing reviews, I’m willing to give this a shot. I’m looking forward to trying these, never had any of their wines before.
/giphy measured-rampant-tarzan
@KCountry Good Morning - and thank you. Freshly in from the vineyard…harvest 2020 is rolling. Thanks for taking a chance on these rare treats.
Thanks You ! I kept coming back after the case sold out and was able to snag one for the southern compound. It should arrive in FL about the same time as me. Looking forward to both, Christmas in October !
@forlich 100% Thank you!
Dammit. That’s like 5 cases this month. Ugh. Shakes fist and thinks about his wife holding a credit card statement.
@pete0744 Hand her a glass of wine back
Thanks so much!
@AndrewMurray @WineDavid49
Thanks for the outstanding participation.
Too bad we couldn’t quite make the SO again.
But there is still an hour left…
@ttboy23
Interested?
@jrbw3 hello, just checking in…and WD is jacked!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
Andrew Murray 90+ Point Reds - $70 = 23.32%
Whoops, I fat-fingered the giphy - but I like it, so I’m just gonna roll with it!
I think this may be a sell out!
/giphy busy-daffy-minute
Never had an Andrew Murray wine I didn’t love, so…
/giphy indented-queenly-print
@bfibear Aww… Love this comment - thanks so much!!!
/giphy wounded-totally-zinc
@KNmeh7 …total eclipse of the SIWBM.
@pmarin Yea. Shame on me that I have never had an Andrew Murray wine, so kind of had to jump in with the comments, rats, participation, etc.
/giphy bouncy-neglectful-pickle
Can’t wait to taste these! In for a case!
@slicknik82 Thanks so much. I hope that you love them all!
Twist my arm, why don’t ya
@KingKoopa Yeah. Exactly.
/giphy frankly-singular-gerbil
/giphy measly-rolly-taco
Cases sold out already. . .any chance if I pick two 6ers I can get the case price?
@winedavid49 thank you! It seems additional cases have magically appeared, and I have pulled the trigger on one!
Same question @windedavid49 @AndrewMurray,
I’d like a case but not at twice the 6 bottle rate. Please please, hook me up with that!
Still showing SOLD OUT
If we didn’t already have a couple of cases of AMV wine stocked up (been club members for a few years now) we would have been all over this. To all the people who are trying this for the first time, you are sure to enjoy!
@swizzel THANKS SO DAMN MUCH!!!
Wow, the WineGods/Goddesses did it! Way to work some magic!!
/giphy gleaming-workable-camel
/giphy budding-ravishing-apollo
@davirom Vintage spacemen! Extra credit if someone can identify what mission & crew?
@davirom @pmarin
Apollo 11?
Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins
@davirom @karenhynes @pmarin
The Eagle has landed.
Yup, correct mission patch and crew.
My big concern with this offer is that I have to wait ~5 yrs to get the best out of these wines. I’m not a patient man! Please tell me that if I dip into these before then that I’ll get a great wine!
@alvoid they are all rated highly with current tasting
Man, if I wasn’t full up on reds needing several years to settle, I’d be in. Alisos Syrah is a personal favorite–it captures wild cool climate aromatics, yet has power and structure like a warmer climate Syrah. The PV also looks very intriguing. I haven’t tasted AM wines in a while, though I recall they tend to be in a heartier style.
I opened a bottle of the Espérance red blend tonight with family since the vintner in the notes opined it would be ready now and wow, was that ever true. I cannot believe the bottles they recommend laying for three to five years will ever come close to making it that long. The Espérance was very smooth and very fruit forward. I agree with @DebRVA; wish I had purchased two cases, at least based on the one bottle opened already!
@davidd13 @debRVA thanks for the feedback! glad you liked it.
@davidd13 @DebRVA @Winedavid49 Glad I got two cases. Love his wines. Dave, please have him be a “regular”.
@davidd13 I opened the very same bottle last night and it was stunning! I was proud to show it off.
I managed to hold off until today - very much enjoyed the GSM. Doubt the others will make it 5 years!
2018 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours
Tasting Notes
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
91 Points - Vinous
91 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Specs
2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Alisos Vineyard
Tasting Notes
93 Points - Vinous
92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
91 Points - Wine & Spirits
Specs
2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown
Tasting Notes
95+ Points – Jeb Dunnuck
Specs
2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend
Tasting Notes
93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points - Vinous
91 Points - Wine & Spirits
Specs
2018 Andrew Murray Grenache, Estate Grown
Tasting Notes
94 Points - Vinous
90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Specs
2016 E11even Petit Verdot
Tasting Notes
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Specs
2017 E11even Petit Verdot
93 points Wine Enthusiast
Specs
Included in the Box
6-bottles:
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.
Case:
Price Comparison
$472 a case for 2x 2018 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours, 2x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Alisos Vineyard, 2x 2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown, 2x 2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend, 2x 2018 Andrew Murray Grenache, Estate Grown, 2x 2016 E11even Petit Verdot
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Oct 12 - Tuesday, Oct 13
Andrew Murray 90+ Point Reds
6 bottles for $149.99 $25/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $229.99 $19.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours
2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Alisos Vineyard
2017 Andrew Murray Syrah, Estate Grown
2017 Andrew Murray Espérance GSM Blend
2018 Andrew Murray Grenache, Estate Grown
2016 E11even Petit Verdot
Here’s the CT link for the 2017 E11even Petit Verdot
@InFrom
Well done!
Thanks
I had to jump in on this too
/giphy wry-yielding-mimosa
@i8dacat Yeah!!! Thanks. Hope you love them!
Wish I could! Had an Andrew Murray offer from the old site way back when and I remember enjoying it. I had a visit to the winery after I moved to LA and remember being unimpressed (style things - too fruity, not enough acidity). But I really want to try the PV! I love that grape and would be very interested in trying this version.
So if any SoCal people want to send a bottle of the PV my way, let me know…
@klezman
Try @cortot
@klezman Just picked up a case.
When received, will send you a PV, overnight.
What in the hell is an apology, without a peace offering?
Enjoy, Chuck (had my son pick at up; he’s very good at collections!)
Will ice packs still be included? Temps will be in the 90s and I don’t really want to stress over the shipment.
@TechnoViking this will ship 2 day. but no ice packs.
I always like my fun order numbers:
Festive and guilty are what I feel about clicking Buy.
Mulberry I’m not sure about but maybe mulberry tastes like Petit Verdot?
/giphy festive-guilty-mulberry
@pmarin Oh OK, it says I’m Not Guilty for buying this.
/giphy funny-scarce-moth
@pupator wut?
@pupator so wrong. Can’t unsee.
/giphy witty-preeminent-rose
Missed the case. Any way to buy two 6’s for the price of 12? My fault for not checking earlier!
Really appreciate the added cases - TY!
/giphy husky-believable-monkey
Same question? I’d like a case but not at twice the 6 bottle rate.
Same question? I’d like a case but not at twice the 6 bottle rate.
Cases sold out? @winedavid49, say it ain’t so! Any chance you can rustle up a few more for us slow pokes who slept on it?
Well, that did not last long…
@davidd13
I’m still seeing both available.
Refresh?
@davidd13 @rjquillin purchase of 12 failed for me just now… saying “oops we seem to have sold out” or something like that
@davidd13 @rjquillin It won’t let you. Says it is an error. Hope I can get another case. It is only money.
@rjquillin Just tried again; it is mocking me!
@davidd13 @rjquillin @TimW we are checking on this issue. stand by!
@davidd13 @rjquillin @TimW @Winedavid49 It works! Have to select 2 after cases. Ordered another case.
@rjquillin @TimW @Winedavid49 Thanks @winedavid49! Just ordered a case with the 2017 E11elveven PV… feel like I scored an IRK, lol. Thanks for making this happen
I rage closed my browser after seeing this comment, assuming it had sold out while I had been getting hyped up by the other comments. I also was experiencing the taunting “not sold out” home page “sold out” error, then saw the comment above and left. Glad I came back, in for a case!
@jeckman223 No rage here…only love. Sorry about the confusion. I am not even sure of how this whole thing operates. I just know that I promised some of the next vintage of Petit Verdot if we miraculously sold out. BTW, of the few peeps who know about our E11even Wines, our Petit Verdot is usually everyone’s favorite discovery when they visit our small tasting room in DTLO (Down Town Los Olivos) - a tiny town north of Santa Barbra by about 30 minutes. We also make a kick a$$ Cab Franc from our Estate. The PV and CF are standout wines from E11even for sure…Thanks for coming back and for bringing a case into your home. Hope you love the wines!
@AndrewMurray thanks for the reply! I’m sorry if I sounded a bit dramatic, the real point was my excitement to be able to snag a case, I look forward to the wine.
@jeckman223 No apologies. I 100% understood what you were saying - I was just playing off your drama. Just kidding myself. Strangely, feels like Friday and a Monday. I am crazy busy like it is a Monday, yet also a bit flippant and jubilant like its a Friday, like I have big plans this weekend - nope, just more winemaking. Though, truthfully, all days are Mondays during Harvest…really awesome Mondays. Thanks again. Drop me a line sometime and let me know what you thought of the wine.
LEGOS! EGGOS! STRATEGO! AWESOME!
@AndrewMurray While I can’t go in on this offer due to money and space constraints, I will be powerless to resist if you make an offering of PV and CF! Just saying…
@AndrewMurray @klezman @cortot is getting some.
@klezman Understood and duly noted. Maybe in the future. We just released the 2018 to our E11even Fan Club Members…they always get it first. Thanks for the idea…
Front page shows 6 and 12 available, but not able to purchase the 12 when actually trying to make the purchase!
@TimW @winedavid49
Working fine for me.
Able to purchase either half or full case of offer 2 with the '17 PV.
@rjquillin @Winedavid49 they changed something so u have to make a 2nd choice of replacement bottles…just worked for me now.
It’s working fine. Thanks David.
Regarding this disclaimer, “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.” Shouldn’t the correct time be 12:30pm as in thirty minutes after noon EST? Just wanted to clarify for those who placed orders between 12:00 am and 12:30 pm. Thanks!!
@jimmyd103
00:30 vs 12:30
no confusions
@jimmyd103 @rjquillin Yes, the 2016 E11even Petit Verdot was the limiting factor for the first release. @Winedavid49 told me that he needed access to more wine - I explained the nature of the 2016 PV. I then told him that I could release a very small amount of the 2017 to this offer as well, if we sold out (which truly seemed like an impossibility). He knows this Community way better than I do of course. The 2017 Petit Verdot is another awesome wine by E11even, from a ripe vintage. I am equally proud of both of the vintages of PV…just so you know. The fact that we moved onto the 2017 is a delightful surprise to me. I cannot overstate how humbled and thankful I am. Cheers to you all!
POPSOCKETS! SPA KITS! POLLY POCKETS! AWESOME!
@cortot @klezman @davirom @halwarning @scottw59
Well, reviewing purchases to update the ss, I see I ended up with two cases, I think when I was checking to see if cases could be ordered again an order actually got placed; sigh.
One going to cortot and one coming to SD.
There just may be some bottles available.
@rjquillin A day late as the saying goes. I would have been happy with a split but I have a full case coming my way already. There was a lot of interest in this wine, I hope you find some takers.
@davirom Yeah, this happens…
ss I think is now up to date, with what I think I know.
@rjquillin You’re giving me something to think about here…
@rjquillin You know I’m mostly interested in the PV…
@klezman
and you’re not alone.
Of coarse you are,
You’ll have to fight with cortot and me on those.
Let’s see what actually gets delivered.
@merrybill @rjquillin lol, I only wanted a 1/2 order so you guys work it out.
@klezman @rjquillin the case here received the 2016 PV.
@CorTot @klezman @winedavid49
This order was supposed to have the '17, not the '16 we received.
@CorTot @klezman @rjquillin @Winedavid49
FWIW, same thing here.
Son ordered on the 23rd, before 5pm PDT.
Just a quick note to the community at large, that you cannot legally send alcohol, as a private individual, to another individual; you have to go through a 3rd party licensed to deliver it. In some states, it is even a felony to try and do so.
Just figured I’d pass this on, in case someone got the “brainy” idea (like I did). Luckily, I did some research before trying to do it.
@CroutonOllie my experience is that if you don’t declare it as alcohol, they wont ask, now I wouldn’t send it through the postal service.
@CorTot I’m sure that you could probably do it, who knows how many times, kind of like speeding, but the problem is that you are still under liability from the law. For those folks that live in a state where it carries the weight of a felony, a lifetime of disability, under the law, hardly seems worth it.
I have no idea why it is as it is, only that it is.
@CorTot @CroutonOllie
I don’t ship wine, I ship vinegar.
@CorTot @rjquillin
Had some of that before, one of those good deeds gone bad.
Had no business drinking, but was a teen and helped an old woman dig fence post holes, outside an antique store she was trying to open.
She gave us an old bottle of wine from the late 1800’s as her way of paying us. 90 degrees plus, humid, but finally got done and decided we’d try it.
Should have used it to dampen the earth on one of the holes we dug.
@CroutonOllie @rjquillin true, or olive oil
@CorTot @rjquillin
True, but I’m sure she probably thought it was a treasure, and it may have been, for the bottle, not the contents!
@CorTot @rjquillin
One other thing, if you ever have something that you’re not too sure of, make sure it doesn’t have thick, slimy, blobs suspended in it somewhere.
We had already made the mistake of tasting it, before we discovered that wonderful, protoplasmic mass in it.
@CorTot @CroutonOllie
I have shipped wine via USPS Priority mail at least a dozen times. Never had a problem. I package it, print the postage and drop it off at the Post Office. I know it is technically not allowed but it works for me!
@chipgreen @CorTot
That’s great, but still leaves you vulnerable under the law.
I spent my life, most of it, with the ideas of duty and obligation firmly ingrained. Not so much with “status” type things, things that wouldn’t be a crime if you were older, but doing otherwise, as an adult, would leave me no recourse but to say “guilty”, if charged.
I do not like affording a system control over my life, or pocketbook, so I decline.
Wow- just had one of my bottles of the 2018 Syrah Tous les Jours last night- that was excellent. Amazing nose and finish… glad I have another, and the 2017 Estate Syrahs still. Thank you Andrew!