2014 is the first vintage for a Piedrasassi Mourvedre-based wine. Piedrasassi has been working with the Harrison-Clarke Vineyard since 2003, the first vintage of Piedrasassi and the first year these vines bore fruit. Hilarie and Roger Harrison planted their estate mostly to Syrah but later grafted over some vines to Mourvedre—in part as a response to some of the fruit ripening a bit quicker on the clay over limestone soils there. Mourvedre is a later, more patient grape, taking its time through the growing season and not as prone to jackrabbit-fast ripening on calcareous soils as Syrah tends to be. Some Syrah at this site still matures a little early for our liking, but the addition of the Mourvedre at assemblage brings nuance and balance in the midst of southern-Rhone style robustness.

Blend: 50% Syrah, 50% Mourvedre