2016 Andrew Murray Vineyards, Esperance Rose, Curtis Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley.
Andrew Murray’s unique and juicy 100% Cinsault Rose 2016 is a really an expressive pink that is bursting with dry and crisp flavor, a bit less fruity than last year, but with deeper intensity. Known for his signature Rhone influence and especially his Syrah, like his awesome value “Tous les Jours” plus the more serious and gorgeous Cote-Rotie like “Roasted Slope” as well as this limited production hand-crafted Esperance Rose, which is refreshing and focused. The 2016 seems more vivid and vibrant than 2015 with a beautiful bright pale salmon/pink hue in the glass and certainly a more interesting bouquet of exotic fruits, floral notes and saline/mineral steely charm that leads to a fine brisk palate of ruby grapefruit, tropical/guava, sour cherry and rosewater as well as wet stones, distilled strawberry, fennel and peppercorns. The Andrew Murray Esperance Rose gains complexity of detail with every sip and is intriguing in style, there is plenty to admire here and will be a joy over the next 6 months to a year, and I personally plan to quaff a few bottles myself, it looks to be a very food friendly wine and I think it would be great with lighter fare, in particular Sushi and Paella, plus picnic and BBQ as well.
($22 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive
