Known as Mataro, or Monastrell. Mourvedre is grown in regions around the world. That include California, Washington State, Rhone, Provence, Spain, and Australia. Primarily used to produce red wines, Mourvedre is occasionally blended with Syrah and Grenache. Mourvedre is also used to produce port fortified wines and rose. Mourvedre produces tannic wines that have high alcohol content. The wine styles that are produced from Mourvedre vary greatly according to the region where it is produced. Mourvedre can be difficult to grow is at prefers hot sun and moist climate. It needs very warm weather. Although it produces a low leaf to fruit ratio, adequate water, or irrigation produces intensely flavored Mourvedre that is not overly jammy. Wines that are produced with Mourvedre often have earthy or wild game notes to them with soft red fruity flavors. Mourvedre fruit is small and thick skinned with high phenolic compounds that have the potential to produce deeply colored, very tannic wines if they are harvested at high sugar levels. However, the variety is rarely harvested at sugar levels below 13% alcohol because the flavors at those lower levels are often weak if great care is not taken at the vineyard.
Toza Crianza Jumilla is made from 100% Monastrell (Mourvedre). Toza Crianza is a classic example of the Monastrell variety from the Mediterranean region, made from hand harvested old vines and aged 12 months in oak barrels. This Spanish red is rich, toasty, round and velvety.
Pair with red meat and game casseroles and well-cured cheeses.
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes is made from 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah, 5% divers.
In contrast to Chaupin, which is made from old-vine Grenache on sandy soils, the cuvée Vieilles Vignes is from old vines of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah along with smaller percentages of other permitted varieties that are grown in these old vineyards. The wine is sourced from 4 terroirs: pebbly clay, sand, gravelly red clay and sandy limestone. Vieilles Vignes is always the most powerful and concentrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape cuvée made at Domaine de la Janasse.
Review:
The advantages of old vines are perhaps most evident in the more difficult vintages (whether hot and dry or cool and rainy). The 2021 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a strong effort, delivering supple, velvety waves of ripe black cherries and black raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, it's rich and concentrated without seeming at all heavy or unbalanced, finishing long and juicy. It's approximately 75% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 5% other varieties, keeping in mind that up to 15% of the old Grenache vines are actually Clairette Rose.
-Wine Advocate 96 Points