The 2020 Grenache is absolutely brilliant, and unquestionably up with the finest examples of this variety out there. Based on 78% Grenache, 12% Mourvèdre, and 10% Syrah raised in 50% new oak, it has a kaleidoscope-like bouquet of kirsch liqueur, ripe strawberries, spring flowers, incense, and ground pepper, to name just a few aromatics. This carries to a full-bodied, multi-dimensional, layered, hedonistic beauty with velvety tannins, a powerful yet somehow still fresh and elegant mouthfeel, and a blockbuster of a finish. It will evolve for two decades

The 2020 Grenache is blended with 12% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. It comes predominantly from Andremily's new Slide Hill estate, plus the Alta Mesa Vineyard and Larner Vineyard in Santa Barbara County and G2 vineyard in Paso Robles. It was vinified using 70% whole clusters, matured for around 21 months in 50% new French barriques and aged an additional year in bottle before release. It has youthfully dense blueberry, baked plum, cherry fruit and slowly opening accents of cardamom, lilac and olive. The full-bodied palate features highly concentrated, enveloping fruit, abundant yet pixelated tannins and just enough freshness to highlight alluring floral and spice tones on the long finish. 400 cases and a few magnums were produced.

The 2020 Grenache is a powerhouse, just as it was from barrel. Blackberry jam, chocolate, licorice, new leather, menthol and cloves are all amplified in this heady explosive Grenache. There's not much subtlety here. On the plus side, though, Jim Binns turned out a terrific wine in a year that was brutal to Grenache.