Today, I’m continuing a few themes from other recent posts. 1) It’s soooo hot outside, I have to focus on good wines for summer sipping. 2) Rhone varietals. We’ve been talking a lot about Rhone varietals lately, and mourvèdre is yet another one. Although it’s more typically found in red Rhone blends, while this is a rosé. And I think this may be the first mourvèdre rosé I’ve had the opportunity to taste, but I hope it’s not the last. 3) Cline Cellars. We’ve had a few other reviews on Cline wines recently. I give them credit for putting out some unique wines that caught our attention.
This mourvèdre rosé come from Contra Costa County in California. The vines are 100+ year vines and it’s dry farmed. But what does that mean and why should you care???
Well, older grape vines produce less fruit than younger ones and that fruit has more concentrated flavors. That’s why many producers will promote the fact that certain wines come from “old vines.”
Dry farming is a technique of farming the vineyard without using irrigation. The only water the vines get is that which falls from the sky. There are a couple different spins on why this is good. Some like it just due to the water conservation aspect. But some producers feel that they get better quality grapes from the practice. Dry farming trains the roots of the vines to search deep into the soil for water, which creates a stronger root system. Some producers assert that this results in better grapes, and thus better wine.
Whether it’s the old vines, the dry farming, the winemaking techniques, or something else, Cline got it right with this rosé.
This wine has a lovely, pink color that just glistens in your glass. The nose is soft, but has enough intensity that I won’t call it “tight.” The aromas are pomegranate, pear and citrus. The palate has soft pomegranate and cranberry flavors, with perfect acidity and just a touch of sweetness. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not a sweet wine… it just has a touch of sweetness, which is harmoniously balanced with crisp tartness. Really, it’s a lovely, very drinkable wine. And it has a surprisingly long finish.
Wine: Cline Mourvèdre Rosé
Variety: Mourvèdre
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 88
Price: $15.99
Want another opinion? Here’s what some other reviewers thought of the 2010 Cline Mourvèdre Rosé:
If you’ve had it, let us know what you think too.
Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.