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Wine Details
Price:
Description:
The 2000 Mourvedre from Texiera's vineyard in Contra Costa County has a spicy fruit that continues to shine brightly through the extended aging. The Mourvedre spice reminds us of Northern Africa, cumin, cardamon and tumeric. This is distinct form the peppery spice character we often associated with Zinfandel. This Northern African spice character makes Mourvedre a popular choice as a blending element in Southern Rhone wines such as Chateau Neuf de Pape. The extended barrel aging, over four years in French oak barrels, has had a dramatic effect in softening the tannins. In the mouth our Mo has a beautifully round balance with lingering finish. Presented here as a single varietal, single vineyard, extended barrel-age release, we offer you a unique experience. Since this wine has already aged for over four years in the barrel, it is ready to drink now, or in the next several years.
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Varietal Definition
Mourvedre:
As long as the weather is warm, Mourvedre ably tolerates a wide variety of soils. It is popular across the south of France, especially in Provence, where it is responsible for the greatness of Bandol, and many a fine red Cotes-du-Rhone. It is often blended in Chateauneuf-du-Pape; Languedoc makes it as a varietal. Spain uses it in many areas, including Valencia. In the United States, Mourvedre remains a minor factor for now, pursued by a few wineries that specialize in Rhone-style wines. The wine it produces can be quite pleasing, with medium weight, spicy cherry and berry flavors and moderate tannins. It ages well.
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Zinfandel:
Zinfandel is a variety of red grape planted in over 10 percent of California wine vineyards. DNA fingerprinting revealed that it is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, and also the Primitivo variety traditionally grown in the 'heel' of Italy. It is typically made into a robust red wine. Its taste depends on the ripeness of the grapes from which it is made. Red berry fruits like raspberry predominate in wines from cooler areas such as the Napa Valley, whereas blackberry, anise and pepper notes are more common in wines made in warmer areas such as Sonoma County. Many Zinfandels come from head pruned ‘Old Vines’. ‘Old Vine’ is generally understood to mean a vine that is more than 50 years old and that produces less than three tons per acre. ‘Head Pruning’ is an old European style of pruning that trains the vine into the shape of a goblet. It requires no wires or other complex trellis systems. Head pruning spreads the fruit uniformly along the vine and allows light penetration.In the USA a semi-sweet Rosé (blush-style) wine called ‘White Zinfandel’ has achieved widespread popularity. In fact, this popularity has so outstripped all other forms that many fans think there is actually a grape called “White Zinfandel” (there isn’t)!
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