Winemaker Notes
The nose is bright with notes of sweet black cherry and cocoa that lead into a soft, round mid palate with hints of tobacco and dried leaves. The finish is juicy and long that begs you to have another glass.
Professional Ratings
-
Vinous
The 2023 Monastrell from Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, was fermented and macerated with stems. Herbal and balsamic notes mingle with hints of turned earth. Lean and lightly grippy, it delivers flavor intensity and length with precision and clarity. Very nicely done.
-
PinotReport
This shows blue fruit with a pleasant herbal note. The clean, medium- to full-bodied palate has delicate, subtle tannins. Super-elegant.
Full of ripe fruit, and robust, earthy goodness, Mourvèdre is actually of Spanish provenance, where it still goes by the name Monastrell or Mataro. It is better associated however, with the Red Blends of the Rhône, namely Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Mourvèdre shines on its own in Bandol and is popular both as a single varietal wine in blends in the New World regions of Australia, California and Washington. Somm Secret—While Mourvèdre has been in California for many years, it didn’t gain momentum until the 1980s when a group of California winemakers inspired by the wines of the Rhône Valley finally began to renew a focus on it.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.