Reviews & Ratings

2018 Andrew Murray Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French) "Watch Hill Vineyard"

Winery: Andrew Murray

Vintage: 2018

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Watch Hill Vineyard"

Wine Category: Syrah & Shiraz (Other than French)

Grape blend: 94% Syrah & 6% Viognier

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Santa Barbara County

State or country: CA

Price: $55

Cases produced: 500

KWG Score: 92.7 (based on 2 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (91.5)

Review date: January 12, 2021

Wine Review: This medium purple colored Syrah from Andrew Murray opens with a fragrant red raspberry and loam bouquet with hints of cured meat, red cherry Life Savers, and menthol. It’s a rather complex nose. On the palate, this wine is medium plus bodied with plus acidity. We also found it to have good balance and a round mouthfeel. The flavor profile is a tasty gentle black raspberry and oolong tea blend with notes of minerality and black cherry. We also detected hints of oak, dark chocolate and crushed black peppercorn towards the end. The finish is dry and is flavors and moderate dusty tannins are long and nicely extended. The Panel would pair this Syrah with NY strip steak or lamb burger. Enjoy – KWGTP

Winemaker Notes: This is perhaps my favorite Syrah vineyard and thus my favorite wine to release each year. It’s dark garnet (nearly black) color, with neon tinges at the rim. Right now, the wine has notes of ripe Rainier cherry, pepper, flowers, charred bacon, tar, and just a hint of toasty oak. The ideal drinking window for this Syrah is 4 - 12 years from today.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Andrew Murray 2018 Watch Hill Syrah.