Mourvedre is a late ripening, finicky grape. We use it as important component of our QED Convergence blend. We never imagined doing anything else with it. But sometimes things work out in ways you haven’t envisioned; sometimes that’s for the better.
As the 2008 Mourvedre matured in barrel, we started noticing its high quality. During the Walla Walla Holiday Barrel Weekend in December 2009, we had a number of people beseeching us to make a 100% Mourvedre wine. It was easy to see why. The Mourvedre was simply beautiful.
So we listened. We set aside 3 barrels and called the wine Vox Populi – voice of the people. Every year, we make roughly 3 barrels.
Stylistically, I’m a big fan of the Bandol wine region in France. The reds from there have to be at 50% Mourvedre, with the rest being Grenache and Cinsault (my favorites – Domaine de Terrebrune and Domaine Tempier). The wines are wild, meaty, spicy, rustic, and delicious (and the best of them are age-worthy). Mourvedre is a wild grape. We try to harness this wildness, not tame it. Billo likes to call to refer to our Mourvedre as Tarzan in a Tux. That’s sums it up nicely.
For Winemaker notes, technical details, and reviews, please click on the following vintages: