2017 Andremily "Eaba" Edna Valley Rhône Blend

The 2017 Eaba was bottled in August of last year and is 58% Syrah, 28% Mourvèdre, 11% Grenache, and 3% Viognier that saw 60% stems and 50% new French oak. This meaty, bloody effort has loads of spiced plum and darker fruit character as well as notes of iron, beef blood, spice, and peppery herbs. Full-bodied and gorgeously textured, with good acidity and ripe tannins, it's going to benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for 20 years as well. (8/2020)

The very first vintage of this label, the 2017 EABA (ee-buh), will be bottled in August 2019 and is composed of 58% Syrah, 28% Mourvedre, 11% Grenache and 3% Viognier, employing 60% whole cluster. It is an uber-blend of Bien Nacido, White Hawk, Larner, Harrison-Clarke, Watch Hill and Alta Mesa Vineyards. It will spend around 22 months in French oak barriques, 50% new. (LPB) (6/2019)

Here in its first release, the 2017 EABA is impressive. Dried herbs, black pepper, menthol, sage and licorice are laced into a core of inky blue/purplish fruit. A dollop of whole clusters adds striking aromatic top notes. Here, too, the oak needs time to assimilate. There is certainly plenty to look forward to. Vineyard sites are Bien Nacido, White Hawk, Larner, Harrison-Clarke, Watch Hill and Alta Mesa. Aging was around 22 months in French oak, 50% new. (AG) 94+ (8/2020)