At the beginning of a new year, I have usually tried to pick a focus for my wine drinking in the upcoming year. This year I considered a number of regions that have been intriguing me:
- Portugal
- Montsant (Spain)
- Northern Italy
- Washington
I’m sure I’ll be seeking out stuff from these regions this year, but in the end I’ve decided to make Mourvèdre my focus. I’ve been a fan of this grape for a long time and I recently noticed that almost every wine I reviewed on my blog that included Mourvèdre in the blend was a winner. Picking a grape instead of a region will also allow me to include wines from lots of places I love: the Southern Rhône, the old-vines stuff in California, the GSMs of Australia, the Monastrell in Spain. Plus, Bandol and other parts of Provence – areas I’ve not had much experience with.
Now this doesn’t mean VINEgeek will be all Mourvèdre, all the time in 2010. My plan is to start Mourvèdre Mondays in the next couple of weeks. With weekly posts, I’ll make it through 50 or so Mourvèdre wines over the course of the year. That ought to help me get to know this grape better. I hope you’ll join me.
If you have a favorite Mourvèdre-based wine you’d like to see me try, leave a comment.
Wineries: If you have a Mourvèdre-based wine you’d like me to include in Mourvèdre Mondays, see the Sample Policy.
Oh, River of Skulls from Twisted Oak!
I love love love Mourvedre!
Quivira makes a really nice one too.
Lots of folks really like Juan Gil. I’ve had it once.
River of Skulls sounds like my kind of wine! I’ve tasted Quivira Mourvedre at the winery, but it’s been years ago now. I’ll keep an eye out for Juan Gil as well. Thanks for the recos!
Great plan! Mourvedre is definitely on my list of things that I need to drink more of in the coming year. I look forward to seeing your reviews.
Ben: Let’s learn more about it together. If you come across any great ones, be sure to let me know!
Jim,
I make a 100% mourvedre from the Santa Ynez Valley – would love to be included in one of your Mourvedre Mondays!!!!!
In addition, I put a good dollop of Mourvedre in my Cuvee Christie, my GSM / SMG depending upon the vintage!!!
Drop me a line at larry@tercerowines.com is you’d like . . .
Cheers!
Thanks, Larry! I’d love to try your wines. I’l be in touch.
Great idea! There’s definitely some fantastic Mourvedre out there. My recent favorite has been Broc Cellars 07 ‘Luna Matta Vineyards’ from Paso Robles, which you should seek out if you haven’t tried it yet.
Here’s my post on it:
http://www.cherriesandclay.com/2009/12/13/sunday-school-7-in-all-its-rhone-like-glory/
Cheers
Thanks, Jake. Great post, and that sounds like a wine (and winery) I’d really dig. Thanks for turning me on to it.
If you want something unusual, Cline makes a Mourvèdre Rosé that’s delicious. They also make a Port-style fortified wine out of Mourvèdre. And if you can find a well-aged Ridge Mataro I think you’ll be pretty happy.
I’m a big fan of Cline, but I haven’t had the Mourvèdre Rosé in years. And Ridge Mataro is a definite add to the list. Thanks, Ben.
I second the vote for the Twisted Oak Mouvedre (Monastrell). My favorite Washington Mouvedre is from Syncline. It was a double gold winner at the Seattle Wine Awards. It was commonly referred to as “sex in a bottle”
Bean – sounds like I need to find some Twisted Oak. And thanks for the Syncline reco – I was hoping to get some leads on non-CA domestic Mourvèdre. Cheers.