Mourvedre is called Monastrell in Spain. It's often used in blends in the Rhone, but sometimes used alone in Spain.
I haven't had the Cline, but like some of the Spanish Monastrells, which are sometimes easy-to-drink, like Castano Monastrell, but can be more substantial, like Juan Gil.
Posts: 1810 | Location: Kansas City, MO | Registered: Sep 19, 2003
Originally posted by Spenser: Mourvedre is called Monastrell in Spain. It's often used in blends in the Rhone, but sometimes used alone in Spain.
I haven't had the Cline, but like some of the Spanish Monastrells, which are sometimes easy-to-drink, like Castano Monastrell, but can be more substantial, like Juan Gil.
The basic Castano, not the Hecula or Solanera, was one of the worst wines that I had in 2007. It had absolutely no fruit showing at all. (the Solanera is actually a blend of Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tintorera)
Spenser, keep in mind that Bandols are composed primarily of Monastell, or Mouvedre as it is known in France. The French AOC states that a Bandol must be a minimum of 50% Mouvedre.
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Posts: 2040 | Location: o-HIGH-o | Registered: May 05, 2005
The basic Castano, not the Hecula or Solanera, was one of the worst wines that I had in 2007. It had absolutely no fruit showing at all. (the Solanera is actually a blend of Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tintorera)
I'm glad I missed that vintage (2005?), Previous vintages have been fruity and juicy with a bit of tannin. Nothing to write home about, perhaps, but a decent quaff nevertheless. In fact, that (showing no fruit) sounds like the last Hecula I had, that being notorious for its bottle variation.
quote:
Originally posted by Altaholic: The French AOC states that a Bandol must be a minimum of 50% Mouvedre.
As the great Johnny Carson used to say, "Fascinating! I did not know that." I'll have to investigate Bandols further. Thanks for the info.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Spenser,
Posts: 1810 | Location: Kansas City, MO | Registered: Sep 19, 2003
It's Mourvedre pronounced how ever the heck you'd like to say it. In one of the first classes I took at Davis, there were two instructors who pronounced it differently. My next class was with Dr Meredith, and she pronounced it yet a third way.
It's known by about 25 different names but Mourvedre, Mataro, and Monastrell are the most common. "The Dog Strangler" is my favorite name for it.
It's a dark, late rippening grape. It needs a long growing season and lots of sunshine. The saying is that in likes it's face in the sun and it's feet in the water. A reference to Bandol, where it's often grown within site of the sea. That also describes the Cline's vineyards in Contra Costa County, which is very warm but the vineyards are right on the water of the Bay Delta.
If people are interested I could go on and on...
The best Mourvedre's I've had include:
Beaucastel Hommage Cline Small Berry Vineyard Domaine Tempier Hewiston Old Garden
Has anyone tried the Core Elevation Sensation or Mr. Moreved? I believe they are 80/20 Mourvedre/Grenache or some percentage close to that. I’ve heard great things about these wines and have wanted to try them.
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Posts: 2040 | Location: o-HIGH-o | Registered: May 05, 2005
Originally posted by Altaholic: Has anyone tried the Core Elevation Sensation or Mr. Moreved? I believe they are 80/20 Mourvedre/Grenache or some percentage close to that. I’ve heard great things about these wines and have wanted to try them.
I recently attended a Core/Beckman wine dinner at Winesellar and Brassarie. The Core Mr. Moreved was awesome, but will requires some patience. I left that night with several bottles. Definitely worth a try.
---------- "Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams . If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, 'It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver."
- Jack Handy
Posts: 1107 | Location: San Diego | Registered: Jan 17, 2006
Just to throw a wrench into things, DNA tests have been done on Monastrell and it has been found that it is actually not the same grape as mouvedre, but instead the same grape as the Rioja grape Graciano.
"You throw a rock, I'm going to throw a concrete block back"
Originally posted by inky: Just to throw a wrench into things, DNA tests have been done on Monastrell and it has been found that it is actually not the same grape as mouvedre, but instead the same grape as the Rioja grape Graciano.
Now that rocks my world view. Thanks a bunch.
Posts: 1810 | Location: Kansas City, MO | Registered: Sep 19, 2003
Originally posted by Altaholic: Has anyone tried the Core Elevation Sensation or Mr. Moreved? I believe they are 80/20 Mourvedre/Grenache or some percentage close to that. I’ve heard great things about these wines and have wanted to try them.
I brought the Mr. Moreved to a tasting. It was all right, but blown away by some other wines I had that night.
Elevation Sensation is consistently excellent - we have refrained from touching the Mr. Moreved's thus far -
Garretson also makes a nice Mourvedre -
Alta - if we ever meet up in Utah - we will be sure to bring an Elevation Sensation with us
Please! Bring a couple of bottles for me as well.
P.S. Greetings from wine purgatory (aka Utah)
"It's easy to grin, when your ship comes in, and you've got the stockmarket beat, but the man worth-while, is the man who can smile, when his shorts are too tight in the seat." - Judge Smails
Posts: 2519 | Location: Utah | Registered: Jan 15, 2008
Actually, I am very interested. Does it need special attention in the winery? Doesn't it have a nasty smell? It seems like CNDPs with a higher mouvedre content have longer aging potential or have a prolonged "dumb/closed phases" (Beaucastel, Vieux Telegraphe). Can this grape contribute to longevity in these wines or is that something different?
I would love to know more!
Posts: 1609 | Location: NC | Registered: May 01, 2007
Originally posted by Jcocktosten: Alta - if we ever meet up in Utah - we will be sure to bring an Elevation Sensation with us
Sounds great! Let me know the next time you and MLV are there. I'm hoping to make it at least 2 more times this winter but my ski day numbers are way down this winter - I'm too busy.
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Posts: 2040 | Location: o-HIGH-o | Registered: May 05, 2005
Originally posted by Jcocktosten: Alta - if we ever meet up in Utah - we will be sure to bring an Elevation Sensation with us
Sounds great! Let me know the next time you and MLV are there. I'm hoping to make it at least 2 more times this winter but my ski day numbers are way down this winter - I'm too busy.
We are supposed to be in Park City again mid-March - another short trip which makes getting out tough as we are also visiting (aka mooching off of) our friends.
Alta has gotten rocked with snow of late another 12 inches in the last 24. Park City Resorts have been hit with something like 40+ inches over the last 5 days or so - I am jonesing for our nex trip.
Posts: 2692 | Location: South Florida | Registered: Dec 30, 2002
