2017 Andremily No 9 Syrah

Based on 92% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, and 3% Viognier aged 22 months in 60% new French oak, the 2017 No 6 is another killer bottle of wine from Jim Binns, offering incredible richness and depth while staying light, elegant, and graceful. Stunning notes of smoked meat, cassis, black pepper, violets, bouquet garni (bay leaf, thyme), and honeysuckle all soar from the glass. These carry to a rich, powerful, perfectly balanced Syrah with awesome tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It builds beautifully with time in the glass and, despite its upfront appeal, my money is on this evolving for upwards of two decades. There are roughly 800 cases produced. Winemaker Jim Binns continues to pretty much knock it out of the park in every vintage. His 2017s are unquestionably some of the greatest wines in the vintage, and the Mourvèdre (along with John Alban's The Mason Forsyth cuvée) is undoubtedly one of the finest expressions of this variety coming out of California today. These are powerful, full-bodied wines that make no excuses for their fruit or opulence while staying perfectly balanced, pure, and elegant. Readers should not miss these stunningly singular wines.