Jade Mountain La Provencale 2001

La Provencale celebrates the success of Rhone grapes in California plus the exuberant character of the 2000 vintage. Forging a classic southern Rhone style blend begins with a Foundation of old vine Mourvedre planted by immigrants to California in the late 1800s. Ancient vines make this sturdy red grape remarkably suave and elegant. Grenache is favored for blending both here and in the Rhone valley where it is dominant in famous wines like Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas. Adding Grenache to tannic vintages like the 1999 infuses a heady strawberry perfume and lively spice aromas, while sweet mouth-coating glycerin leaves room for ten percent of the deeply colored and tannic syrah to impart structure and complexity. The complement of varieties is engaging and makes a bold statement without new oak aging. Try this wine now with grilled foods and Mediterranean fish dishes. In cold weather, these blends are warming and satisfying with lamb stew or gnocchi.

"A dark, intense, ripe and complex style, with tiers of blackberry, black cherry and wild berry fruit, though it turns hot on the finish. An exceptional value at this price. Mourvèdre, Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2009."
-Wine Spectator