2023 Grenache

Coming from the Slide Hill and Alta Mesa vineyards, the 2023 Grenache is a blend of 81% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 9% Mourvèdre, fermented with 45% whole clusters. Deep purple-hued, it’s gamey and wild, with ripe red and black fruit, pepper, lavender, violets, and a touch of bloody meat. Full-bodied and layered, it has ripe tannins, outstanding purity, and a long, complex finish. I love the singular character and savory complexity of this beauty, and it’s clearly going to be a stunning Grenache. Jim Binns continues to absolutely crush it with Andremily, and I’ve yet to see him miss a beat. The majority of the 2023s were tasted from barrel, and there are a couple of wines that could easily top out the scale, showing the combination of power and purity he’s become known for. These are always rich, concentrated, full-throttle wines, yet the cooler nature of 2023 brings extra precision and vibrancy. By contrast, the 2022s are more sun-kissed, bigger, and more opulent, delivering everything you’d expect from this incredible winemaker. Binns is also now the owner of the Slide Hill Vineyard in the Edna Valley, located just across from John Alban’s estate, and the quality coming from this site has taken off since he’s been in charge. Across the board, whether it’s the Rhône blends, the Mourvèdre, or the flagship Syrah-driven cuvées, the quality is just off the charts, and this remains one of the most exciting estates in California.