AVALON RECOMMENDS
89% Mourvedre
11% Syrah
both from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard
Juicy, spicy, dense, and rich, with big black cherry flavors, and that characteristic hint of pencil lead, this is Mourvedre at its most extraordinary. Only 200 cases were bottled, the only bottling of Mourvedre in the Northwest from the tiny 3 acre plot at Ciel du Cheval.
Very different from what you think of as Mourvedre if you're a fan of the under $10 Spanish version, this wine is much more like the Mourvedre of Bandol, without as much of the "garrique" quality. There's a bit of gamey rusticity in this wine, but it's mostly a lush, unusual, fascinating red that shows a range of flavors in a framework of dense, black, rich cherry and plum fruit flavors. Quite a treat!
Mourvedre is a densely black red wine that requires a very hot climate to grow, and has traditionally been grown in Spain and in Southern France, especially in the area around Bandol, on the Mediterranean coast. It produces sturdy wines with good acid and some astringency, and can develop enticing blackberry aromas and flavors. Mourvedre makes meaty, intense wines that age well. There's a characteristic hint of what many people interpret as "pencil lead" in the mid-palette, and the black color and dense, opaque nature of the wine add to its reputation for wild and rustic flavors.
This is McCrea Cellars' third vintage of Mourv?dre, and the only bottling of this varietal in Washington State. The cuttings are Beaucastel material sourced from Tablas Creek Vineyard, planted for McCrea in 1999 by Jim Holmes at his renowned Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. Although their purpose in planting these grapes is for their southern-Rh?ne blend ("Sirocco"), McCrea bottled about 200 cases of Mourvedre in 2004 as a single varietal.
Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews:
Wine & Spirits gave 91 points to the 2003 vintage: "From the Ciel du Cheval vineyard, this dark wine offers up a spice-box worth of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla scents. Through all these dark spices is a fine and resonant red berry flavor, and a feral, savory depth that gives it complexity and power. It's harmonious and ready to serve with braised lamb."
From the winery:
2004 was a year of many challenges. It began with a devastating freeze in January that
permanently damaged many Washington vineyards, particularly in the Walla Walla valley.
Fortunately, Rh?ne varietals are far more winter hardy than anyone would have imagined.
Most of our fruit was not affected. The summer was one of the hottest on record, suggesting
a very early harvest. But late August cooled and even brought some rain, which slowed sugar
development while promoting good acidity and proper physiological maturity. We had a
relatively normal harvest from mid-September through late October. The '04 wines are very
promising; the fruit characteristics are similar to 2002 and 2003. We anticipate good
complexity and intensity, with even better acid and pH ratios than prior vintages.
A pioneer of Rh?ne varietals in Washington State, winemaker Doug McCrea transforms grapes
from the finest Yakima Valley, Red Mountain and Columbia Valley vineyards into wines of
extraordinary depth, balance, complexity and finesse. Annual Production: 4000 cases of
Syrah, Viognier, Grenache, Mourv?dre, Roussanne and Counoise.
