Andremily
History and Background
Andremily Wines, located in Ventura, California, was founded in the early 2010s by Jim Binns. The estate is known for its exceptional Rhône-style blends, particularly its Syrah, which reflect the unique terroir of the region. Andremily Wines' commitment to quality and traditional winemaking practices has quickly earned it a prestigious reputation among California wine producers.
Vineyards and Terroir
Andremily's vineyards are located in the Santa Barbara County, California, covering approximately 4 hectares:
- Soil Composition: The soils are predominantly sandy loam and clay, providing excellent drainage and contributing to the intensity and complexity of the flavors in the wines.
- Grape Varieties: The estate primarily grows Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Viognier, producing bold and expressive red wines that reflect the unique characteristics of a cooler climate and maritime influence. These conditions help in maintaining acidity and developing nuanced aromatic profiles in the wines.
Wine Style and Production
- Key Characteristics: Wines from Andremily are celebrated for their layered complexity and expressive elegance. They feature a rich tapestry of flavors including dark fruits such as blackcurrant and plum, complemented by hints of spice, vanilla, and floral undertones. The wines are full-bodied with robust tannins that soften beautifully with age, evolving in the bottle to express smoother textures and deeper nuances of tobacco, cedar, and leather, underpinned by a vibrant acidity that enhances their freshness and aging capability.
- Winemaking Philosophy: Andremily adheres to a winemaking philosophy that marries meticulous vineyard management with a thoughtful blend of traditional and modern techniques. The focus is on minimal intervention to allow the natural characteristics of each vineyard site to shine through. This includes the use of indigenous yeasts for fermentation and a careful selection of barrel types for aging. The goal is to craft wines that not only reflect the unique attributes of their respective terroirs but also maintain a consistent house style of elegance and finesse.
- Influence on Style and Quality: The winery's commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices, including stringent selection of fruit, rigorous canopy management, and low-interventionist approaches in the winery, play pivotal roles in defining the quality and style of Andremily wines. The use of new and used French oak barrels for aging introduces subtle complexities and a silky texture to the wines. This thoughtful combination of high-quality vineyard practices and precise, tailored production techniques ensures each vintage of Andremily wines maintains a balance of intense flavor concentration and elegant structure, highlighting their uniqueness and long-term aging potential.
Reputation
Andremily is a boutique winery in California, highly regarded in contemporary wine circles for its exceptional Rhône-style wines, especially its Syrahs. It was founded by Jim Binns, who previously worked under the renowned winemaker Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non, another acclaimed Californian producer known for its Rhône varietals. The influence of Sine Qua Non is palpable in Andremily's winemaking style, marked by meticulous vineyard selection and expressive, bold flavors, both hallmarks of Krankl's influence.
The prestige of Andremily also stems from its focus on limited-production releases, which aids in maintaining a high quality across vintages. The winery routinely earns high scores from critics, with its wines often selling out quickly and commanding high prices on the secondary market, adding to its allure and exclusive reputation.
Unique aspects of Andremily include its continued use of co-fermentation (the simultaneous fermentation of different grape varieties), which can add complexity and balance, and its use of whole-cluster fermentation, which imparts a distinct character to its wines. These techniques, combined with Jim Binns' meticulous attention to detail and his learned experience from a leading figure in the industry, help assert Andremily's distinct identity and contribute to its high standing among wine connoisseurs and collectors.
Final Thoughts
Andremily Wines, under the meticulous guidance of Jim Binns, a protégé of the venerable Manfred Krankl from Sine Qua Non, has swiftly ascended to the apex of the wine world, earning a reputation for producing some of the most compelling and sought-after Rhône-style wines in California. Launched in 2012, Andremily focuses on Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache, securing critical acclaim with consistently high ratings from leading wine critics, such as Robert Parker, who bestowed exceptional scores that are a testament to the wines' intricacy and depth. Jim Binns' approach integrates meticulous vineyard selection, innovative winemaking techniques, and a judicious use of new French oak, culminating in limited-production wines that are both powerful and elegantly structured. This dedication to quality and exclusivity makes Andremily a standout, exemplifying a modern mastery of Rhône varietals that attracts collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, contributing significantly to the prestige and high-market demand seen in new world Rhône-style wines.