Current Release
1.5L Syrah, XV 15th Anniversary Cuvée
In 2016, as we tasted the lots that would be used to make the 2015 MJM, we noted that the wines were truly exceptional. Products of extremely low yields and a hot, dry year, the wines were dense, concentrated and packed with flavor, yet balanced by powerful (yet ripe) tannins. We wondered whether even further barrel aging beyond the MJM’s typical 27-34 months would bring even more intrigue. We decided to experiment keeping one 228L barrel of the 2015 MJM blend for even longer aging. The ensuing 2017 vintage produced Syrahs of similarly immense structure, and we reserved some wines from that vintage as well. Ultimately, we tasted numerous potential cuvees with other vintages of MJM and MJM components before deciding upon this blend. Each vintage increases the complexity of the final blend. We like to think of it as adding “vertical” complexity to the “horizontal” complexity one creates by blending wines from multiple sites in the same vintage. As always, the Syrah for this wine comes from some of the finest sites and finest growers in Santa Barbara County, and we farm each site carefully for vine balance, appropriate yield and highest quality.
The wine is comprised of three vintages: 2015 (45%), 2017 (45%), and 2018 (10%).
Vineyard sources include: Stolpman (48%, 3 blocks), John Sebastiano (42%, 3 blocks), Kimsey (8%, 3 blocks), Larner (2%).
The wine is 95% Syrah, 4% Grenache, and 1% Viognier.
We aged each vintage component of XV as a separate blend anywhere from 15 to 51 months in barrel and bottled the wine in January 2020 for our 15th anniversary.
Extremely Limited. Only 55 cases made.
The wine scored 97+ points from Jeb Dunnuck who said:
“More chocolate, blackcurrants, roasted herbs, ground pepper, and meaty notes emerge from this beauty. Dense and full-bodied, it needs 3-5 years of bottle age, but it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. It's a powerful, meaty wine from this team.”
Antonio Galloni/Vinous gave the wine 95 points and stated:
“The MV Syrah XV is dense, rich and powerful. Red cherry/plum fruit are front and center in a Syrah built on textural depth and striking intensity. Time in the glass brings out striking aromatics that add presence. This is an especially lush style, but everything works so well together. Pomegranate, mint, cedar and sweet red cherry linger nicely on the persistent finish.”
The wine is comprised of three vintages: 2015 (45%), 2017 (45%), and 2018 (10%).
Vineyard sources include: Stolpman (48%, 3 blocks), John Sebastiano (42%, 3 blocks), Kimsey (8%, 3 blocks), Larner (2%).
The wine is 95% Syrah, 4% Grenache, and 1% Viognier.
We aged each vintage component of XV as a separate blend anywhere from 15 to 51 months in barrel and bottled the wine in January 2020 for our 15th anniversary.
Extremely Limited. Only 55 cases made.
The wine scored 97+ points from Jeb Dunnuck who said:
“More chocolate, blackcurrants, roasted herbs, ground pepper, and meaty notes emerge from this beauty. Dense and full-bodied, it needs 3-5 years of bottle age, but it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. It's a powerful, meaty wine from this team.”
Antonio Galloni/Vinous gave the wine 95 points and stated:
“The MV Syrah XV is dense, rich and powerful. Red cherry/plum fruit are front and center in a Syrah built on textural depth and striking intensity. Time in the glass brings out striking aromatics that add presence. This is an especially lush style, but everything works so well together. Pomegranate, mint, cedar and sweet red cherry linger nicely on the persistent finish.”
Wine Profile
| Varietal | Syrah |
|---|---|
| Size | 1.5 L |