The 2021 Grenache is blended with 15% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre. Grapes come from the Alta Mesa Vineyard in Santa Barbara County and Andremily's new Slide Hill estate vineyard in the Edna Valley. It was vinified using 45% whole clusters and matured for around 21 months in 50% new French barriques and 600-liter demi-muids. Bottled on August 26 and tasted on October 25, its red and black fruit is densely coiled, and it takes plenty of air to reveal pure notes of black licorice, coffee beans, lilac, graphite and tobacco. The full-bodied palate is plush, ripe and spicy, with chocolate-textured tannins and fireworks of fresh acidity to call you back to the glass. Powerful yet seamless, it will continue to unfold as it matures in bottle over the next 15 years or more. 96+ (EB)

Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose of the 2021 Grenache features intense scents of black cherries, mulberries and red currant preserves, leading to suggestions of mint tea, wild sage, and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate delivers a firm texture of grainy tannins with lovely freshness and taut, muscular fruit, finishing long and savory. 95+ (LPB)

The 2021 Grenache marries fruit intensity with volume. Black cherry, plum, chocolate new leather, licorice and cloves are all dialed up. The cooler side of the growing season adds a natural foil to the opulence that is such a signature here. That duality makes for a deeply intriguing wine. (AG)