2013 Andrew Murray Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard
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The 2013 Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard is another gorgeous wine from winemaker Andrew Murray. Even more concentrated than the 2012, yet with the same level of purity and finesse, it has a 2010 level of extract, notes of blackcurrants, pepper, licorice, graphite and toasted spice, full-bodied richness, and a great finish. While the 2012 is much more upfront and approachable, this is more reserved, concentrated and burly. It's good today, but I'd give bottles a few more years of cellaring. It should be very long-lived. The Watch Hill Vineyard is in the Los Alamos Valley and is a cooler vineyard in the region, which is generally warmer than both the Santa Maria Valley and the Sta. Rita Hills. Andrew’s Syrah from this site is normally cofermented with 5-8% Viognier and sees upwards of 20-30% stems. This terrific example of cool-climate Syrah from Santa Barbara County has a classic character and can be enjoyed on release or cellared for a decade. The quality seemed to take a step up as of the 2012 vintage, and today it’s consistently one of the top Syrahs coming from the region. It also still represents a smoking value.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A deep, inky wine, the 2013 Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard presents a host of gamey overtones along with a real sense of gravitas in its vertical structure. Smoke, tobacco and savory herbs wrap around a core of intense, dark fruit. Drink this bold, expansive Syrah over the next handful of years.
The greatest wine I've tasted from Murray, his 2013 Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard is an incredible blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier that saw 25% whole cluster inclusion and 18 months in 15% new French oak. From a cool site, it knocks it out of the park with its gorgeous black raspberry, crushed rocks, pepper and violet-laced aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, perfectly balanced, layered and fresh, with ultra-fine tannin structure, this is one Santa Barbara County Syrah readers should not miss! Bravo to the team here, and this is smoking value.
Co-fermented with 6% Viognier. 25% whole bunch. In Los Alamos where the likes of KJ and Beringer take grapes to blend into AVA California and Central Coast bottlings. Sweet start but well balanced with good acidity and freshness. Very appealing and easy to like . Only very slightly medicinal. (JR)