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CHEESE PAIRING:
Le Roule
Blarney
Habanero Jack
Cotswold
Pepato
Big Woods Blue |
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Still mostly used as a blending grape in Southern France – especially in Cotes-du-Rhones – this powerful, spicy grape is being bottled on it's own in the central coast region of California and the southeastern region of Spain, where it's the principal black grape and called Monastrell. Australia grows it as well, but mostly for mixing into it's Rhone-style blends. It's a grape that loves the heat, yet needs ventilation and the Rhone resurgence in wine's New World is giving it a chance to shine all by itself. That being said, wines made from 100% Mourvedre are still rare to find on the shelf. California and Aussie versions are more expensive ($25+) than those from Spain ($8-$15), which are more widely available. Because of it's complex flavors, this is a great food wine that has some ability to age. If you like them big and spicy this is the wine for you.
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WHAT TO EXPECT: In it's youth a highly tannic, deeply-colored red wine that's usually almost opaque. The aroma shows black fruit and spice with a touch of violet on the nose. Depending on the region, the palate can be somewhat rustic and chewy, though some New World's are quite elegant. Can also have gamey/smokey qualities along with the fruit (blackberry) and spice (clove, pepper). There's nothing subtle about this wine. Due to the tannins can age fairly well (4-6 years past the vintage date).
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 | 2007 Anglim Winery Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2007 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Cass Winery Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Minassian-Young Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: * |
| 2006 Senorio de Barahonda Heredad Candela Monastrell, Yecla, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Senorio de Barahonda Monastrell Tinto, Yecla, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Tercero Wines Camp 4 Mourvèdre, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Thompkin Cellars Mourvèdre, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2006 Vinos Sin-Ley M2 Monastrell, Alicante, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Vinos Sin-Ley M4 Monastrell, Bullas, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2006 Vinos Sin-Ley M5 Monastrell, Yecla, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Cass Winery Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: **** |
| 2005 4 Joes' Mourvèdre Thompson Vineyard, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Bodegas Juan Gil Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Bodegas Merum Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain | RATING: ** |
| 2005 Bogedas Piqueras Valcanto Monastrell, Almansa, Spain | RATING: * |
| 2005 RN Estate Vineyard Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: *** |
| 2005 Wrongo Dongo Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain | RATING: * |
| 2004 Garretson Wine Company Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2004 Las Renas Barrica Monastrell, Bullas, Spain | RATING: * |
| 2004 Minassian-Young Mourvèdre, Paso Robles, CA | RATING: ** |
| 2001 Bedford Thompson Vineyards Mourvèdre, Santa Barbara, CA | RATING: *** |
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**** Outstanding | *** Delicious | ** Enjoyable | * Drinkable
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