CLINE ANCIENT VINES MOURVEDRE - 2003

There aren't too many offerings out there composed completely of Mourvedre. Mourvedre is a grape that often appears in French Rhone wines or California blends. In Spain it is known as Monastrell.

This was a pleasure to taste back-to-back with the Lucky Country Shiraz. Both wines are 14.5% alcohol, but the differences between the two couldn't be greater. The Cline was simply a better made wine with the alcohol more in check and the overall structure finely crafted.

TASTING NOTES:

Plum, eucalyptus, a hint of chocolate, light oak, and cedar on the finish. Pleasant, comfy mouth feel, with lots of acidity and a bit of alcohol still showing. The alcohol settled down after the bottle was open for about an hour. The color was just a tad darker than what you'd expect from Pinot Noir.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS
Delicious, a bit young, but a very enjoyable wine. Retails for $15, but if you shop around you can find for as low as $12.