I’m used to tasting this grape alongside its rougher rival Grenache and softer sister Syrah.  But all by itself, it holds up very well!  At least in Juan Gil’s estimation.  This needs a second go around for sure.

paid: $13

scored: 90

I don’t come a cross a lot of un-blended Monastrell (Mourvedre, en Francais).  But I do like it.  There is a subtle berry buzz to this wine, with a very pure finish.  And at the same time, its not light.  If I were to complain about anything it would be that 14 % feels like a bit too alcohol.  Come to think of it, the Cline Mourvedre is similarly strong.  Maybe that’s why they always blend this varietal in the Rhone Valley.  Still, tasty and worth it.  I’ll probably have to try it again some time.

paid: $10

scored: 89

OK, so this wine managed to confuse me at first.  Cline is a big name in Sonoma, but their mourvedre comes from Contra Costa — which turns out to be only 20 miles north of Livermore Valley (south east of Sonoma).  A few years ago I first heard the perfect phrase to describe this wine, from the owner of Campus Wines in Providence RI.  I have since heard the phrase from him every time I bought wine at his establishement:  “fruit-forward.”  That guy was pretty much annoying, and I only wasted $20 before I learned that I do not like “fruit-forward”, and that instead I would simply say a wine is “too sweet”.  Having said all that, there is something interesting going on in this bottle, a taste and aroma that I can’t quite place, and I like it.  Maybe because pure mourvedre is not so common?  Dunno.  Its worth trying though.  As a final note, I tried the 2004 vintage of this wine back before I started this journal, and I didn’t recall it being nearly so fruit-flipping-forward.

paid: $14
scored: 87