1997 Staley Mourvedre

[Innkeeper]

1997 Philip Staley, Russian River Valley, Staley Vineyard, Mourvedre ($16.00). Brief refresher: Mourvedre (more-VED-ruh) is a Southern Rhone grape, probably originally coming from Spain as grenache did, that is in most C-D-P blends, and is the primary grape in rose' and red versions of the increasingly popular Bandol wines. It has been grown for a long time as a "field grape" in California and Australia where it is also known as mataro.

This New World version from Rhone Ranger Philip Staley is a winner. It is big (14.2%) and simultaneously soft wine that has potential to match with a great variety of foods. We popped it with a mixed grill. The color is worth dwelling on. The inky dark ruby saturation is absolutely sensuous when held up to the light. The wine offers plums and blackberries on the nose and upfront. Spices, chocolate, and smooth, smooth tannin run across your palate. The finish goes on and on. A 5% shot of grenache gives a boost to both the fruit and the texture. A very nice wine.

[This message has been edited by Innkeeper (edited 09-01-2001).]

[Innkeeper]

Enjoyed the fifth in this series last night with grilled lamb chops and eggplant salad. This has been our September wine, and ordered another case last night.

We even took a couple of bottles on our short trip earlier this month. The day we checked into the Berry Hill Gardens Bed & Breakfast in Bainbridge, New York we had a full meal on the road. So that evening we sat on their veranda with a view of their gardens and background mountains, and sipped a bottle of it with cheese and crackers. Did share a little with the resident lab. Wonderful.

[hotwine]

Nice post, IK, thanks. We'll look for it.

[mrdutton]

IK - THANK YOU

My tasting notes parallel yours. Had some tonight with a roast, boneless pork chop, peas and (believe it or no) macaroni and cheese.

This is a wine worth drinking over and over again. Beautiful color, plenty of fruit, loved the chocolate and the tannin. Very big indeed - got a bit of a buz from a half-bottle!

Again, HTANKS KI, oops ----- THANKS, IK [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by mrdutton (edited 02-06-2002).]

[winoweenie]

Let's call in the coast guard IK, there's a drunk wandering around the ocean. WW

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 02-07-2002).]

[chittychattykathy]

Been looking into buying some more Mourvedre!
Thanks!

[Innkeeper]

This baby is still getting better and better. Roberto did say that mourvedre is an ager, didn't he? Then, again, five years isn't really that old, is it? At any rate, found out tonight, after a very early dinner afar, that it makes a very nice quaffer as well.

[Innkeeper]

Recently received another box of this winner. Still the '97 vintage, although I understand that Phil has now released his '99. Still drinking wonderfully. Brought one on our post Christmas trip to Northern New Hampshire as a quaffer. Last night we popped another with hamburgers on English muffins with onions nuked in OO and ketchup. The kind you have to roll up your sleaves for. The wine turned out to be the perfect choice.

[Innkeeper]

Moving smartly through our fourth box (same vintage) since 9/1/01. And, its gets better and better; thanks Roberto for the advice and Craig for the wine. Tonight we matched it with grillpanned smoked porkchops and salad with blue cheese dressing. Wonderful.

[Innkeeper]

It is very hard to say goodby to a friend. First it was the Gipper, then Ray Charles, and tonight it was this wine. We have had more of this specific wine (four cases) than any other wine in our lives. We have carried it on trips all over the country and consumed it in many hotel rooms. We have served it to many, many friends. Tonight we broke down and killed the last bottle of ole '97. Served it with sauteed ham slices in cream sauce (our dessert island sauce). All wonderful.

With a tear in my eye and a smile on my face, IK

[winoweenie]

Love Labor Lost an' Loves Flavor Gained. WW [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]