Garnet to black fruited with baking spices finishing this fascinating Mourvèdre. Mourvèdre is typically recognized as a component of GSMs (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) from the southern Rhone Valley, but winemaker Nate Wall and GM Craig Camp are doubling down with this Applegate Valley single variety. Their version is expressive of and exemplifies their Demeter-certified biodynamic estate vineyard.
Nate describes this wine as “sauvage” – having an earthy rustic mushroom quality – and I concur. I also get a smoked meatiness, which is what I want with barbecued meats.
This wine received no additions or adjustments and fermented for 18 days outdoors, resting in large amphora for aging. If you plan to taste or review this wine, be sure to get Nate’s tech notes. I suggest opening the bottle, retasting, and letting the wine develop over 24 to 48 hours.
Read Nate Wall’s Wine Character interview here, and his technical description of why he chose this wine.