Cline Ancient Vines

Price: $15
Maker: Cline Cellars, Sonoma, California
Varietal: Mourv�dre
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, natural cork
Alcohol: 14.5%
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Cline Ancient Vines Mourv�dre 2005 appealed for several reasons - one doesn’t encounter too many Mourv�dre (or Monastrell) selections in the wine shop, and anything that claims to be from “ancient vines” always has extra appeal for me. The first sip was a bit disappointing - the wine didn’t seem to have the flavor intensity that I’d expect from an old vine, relatively high alcohol red. Fortunately, some extra breathing time brought the Cline Mourvedre around nicely. It has a nice, if undistinguished, fruity aroma. The flavor offers rounded plum and chocolate-covered cherry notes, with a slightly peppery finish. The extra air turned the wine into a big, bold red that would compare with a good Zinfandel.