Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre is a red variety known for the rich and meaty wines that it is a key component of, particularly those from the South of France, including the Rhône and Provence regions, and the Jumilla region of Spain. Wines are sometimes single-varietal, but Mourvèdre is also an elemental component of some fine blended wines, like Bandol, which is a blend of this grape, Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah.
Mourvèdre’s small, thick-skinned berries are nearly black in the vineyard, ripening late and reaching high sugar levels under the right conditions. Wines can be, as a result, high in alcohol. Vines are hearty, with many leaves, offering good shade and, for experienced winemakers, the opportunity to define the grape’s outcome through mindful pruning.
This particular variety benefits tremendously from different types of vine training. Despite its late ripening, Mourvèdre has a short window for picking. Acidity declines rapidly after the grape has hit its peak ripeness, so it requires a watchful eye in the vineyard. Vines also require good irrigation and dry, warm weather, since the grape is susceptible to powdery mildew. Winemaking standards and practices leave a strong mark on the wines made from this grape.
Mourvèdre offers a meaty, char-like quality, making it a good complement to grilled meats and other substantial fare. It is a notoriously earth-driven grape, with secondary notes so strong they often overpower the fruit, which tends to be dark and red in character. Cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and currants abound, but so do stewed fruits, like prunes.
The wines made from Mourvèdre tend to show moderate to high tannic structure, and selections from good vintages are suitable for mid- to long-term aging.
Spain
Mourvèdre is believed to have originated in Spain, where it is widely known as Monastrell or Mataro. It is still among the most widely planted reds, although that is steadily changing. Spanish law requires that Mourvèdre is one of the primary varieties in the wines of Alicante, Almansa, Jumilla, Valencia and Yecla. Spanish Mourvèdre produces distinct, beefy and muscular wines, many of which see ample oak.
France
Mourvèdre was likely brought from Spain to France by the Phoenicians. The grape established itself as integral to Southern French winemaking as early as the 16th century.
Beginning in Roussillon, the grape quickly found homes in Provence and the Rhône Valley. The phylloxera crisis of the 19th century decimated a lot of Mourvèdre vines, which were found to be poor matches for grafting onto American rootstock. As a result, many vineyards that lost Mourvèdre vines to this epidemic were planted to other varieties.
Today, some of the most high-density plantings of Mourvèdre in France are in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the country’s south.
Global Production
Mourvèdre has also crossed over into the New World, with plantings in California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, and Missouri. These iterations tend to be a little less powerful and tannic than their Old World siblings. The grape has also found success in Australia, particularly in the Barossa Valley. Because it thrives in dry and warm climates, it is a natural fit for some New World winemaking regions.
Synonyms: Alicante, Balzac Noir, Damas Noir, Mataro/Mataró, Monastre, Monastrell, Mourves, Mourvedon, Pinot Fleri, Torrentes
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McPrice Myers 2020 Paper Street Vineyard Cuvée Red (Paso Robles Willow Creek District)
Central CoastDark and intense aromas of black plum, blackberry, myrtle liqueur and nutmeg ...See Full Review$65 -
Margerum 2020 M5 Reserve Red (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastHailing from eight different vineyards, this blend of 49% Grenache, 31% Syrah, ...See Full Review$50 -
Rucksack Cellars 2020 R G-S-M (Sierra Foothills)
Sierra FoothillsTechnically an “SGM,” with 71% Syrah, 17% Grenache and 12% Mourvèdre, this ...See Full Review$24 -
Margerum 2021 M5 Red (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastLovely and lively aromas of strawberry, rosewater, lavender and brisk melon show ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$30 -
Tablas Creek 2020 Esprit de Tablas Red (Adelaida District)
Central CoastThis blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 5% Counoise, 3% ...See Full Review$65 -
Stolpman 2019 Sun & Earth Ruben Solorzano Red (Ballard Canyon)
Central CoastIntense aromas of dark berry, crumpled purple flowers, white pepper and complex ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$98 -
Stolpman 2021 G-S-M (Ballard Canyon)
Central CoastRugged aromas of wild boysenberry, dark plum and brown spice make for ...See Full Review$40 -
Stolpman 2020 Sun & Earth Ruben Solorzano Red (Ballard Canyon)
Central CoastThis blend of 40% Mourvèdre, 40% Syrah and 20% Grenache possesses a ...Cellar SelectionSee Full Review$98 -
Tablas Creek 2021 Patelin de Tablas Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastThis easy-to-enjoy yet complex blend of 43% Syrah, 28% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$28 -
Stolpman 2020 Pliocene Mourvèdre (Ballard Canyon)
Central CoastDark cherry liqueur, mace, cola and dark cocoa aromas draw the nose ...See Full Review$65 -
Stolpman 2021 Pliocene Mourvèdre (Ballard Canyon)
Central CoastThough not even a year old when tasted, this wine is very ...See Full Review$65 -
Tablas Creek 2020 Mourvèdre (Adelaida District)
Central CoastSlightly transparent in the glass, this bottling offers soft cherry, trampled red ...See Full Review$45 -
Epiphany 2019 Inspiration Red (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastThis blend of 43% Grenache, 23% Counoise, 15% Mourvèdre, 15% Cinsault and ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$35 -
Lone Madrone 2018 Oveja Negra Red (Paso Robles Willow Creek District)
Central CoastDusty sagebrush and wild-cherry-pit aromas are rustic in great ways on the ...See Full Review$60 -
Thacher 2019 Constant Variable Red (Central Coast)
Central CoastLively aromas of lavender, lilac, black plum and açaí excite the nose ...See Full Review$52 -
Macario Montoya 2020 Del Barba Vineyard Mourvèdre (Contra Costa County)
Central CoastAppetizing aromas greet the nose, including bright cranberry, red currant, raspberry, wild ...See Full Review$34 -
Sunstone 2020 Rapsodie Red (Santa Ynez Valley)
Central CoastFresh pomegranate, shaved cedar and light pepper aromas show on the nose ...See Full Review$70 -
Bodega Volcanes de Chile 2019 Tectonia Red (Central Valley)
ChileOak spice aromas are followed by red berries. On the palate of ...See Full Review$25 -
Chronic Cellars 2020 Sofa King Bueno Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastThere's a lot of woodspice on the nose of this playfully named ...See Full Review$22 -
Terra d'Oro 2019 G-S-M (Amador County)
Sierra FoothillsThis classic Rhône-style blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre is generous in ...See Full Review$35
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