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Known as Monastrell in Spain or as Mataro in Australia and (sometimes) California, Mourvèdre thrives in hot, dry climates, such as Provence in Southern France. Because Mourvèdre has thick skins the wine can be inky black and tannic, but if pressed quickly and gently (like a “blanc de noir”), it produces beautiful rosé with appealing color but no astringency. The Mourvèdre in Cline’s Oakley Vineyard was planted over 100 years ago and grows in well-drained, deep sandy soils. The head-pruned vines may yield little fruit, but the flavors are bright and intense. Served well-chilled, this Rosé Mourvèdre will perk up a weekend lunch or refresh parched throats on hot summer evenings. Try it with tropical fruit salad, Provencal-style chicken, or grilled salmon.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay may seem ubiquitous in Northern California’s wine industry, but it wasn’t always that way. Seeing the old vineyards near his grandfather’s ranch in Oakley, California, Fred Cline learned that wine growers 100 years ago preferred Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvedre) and Carignan – often planted together in one vineyard as a “field blend.” Because this pattern is found in old vineyards throughout the state, it must have been a conscious choice among winegrowers back then. They must have understood that Zin and the Rhone varieties perform better under California’s dry but variable conditions than the finicky, slow-ripening Cabernet. These vines can thrive without irrigation (a.k.a. “dry-farming”) and the blending of grapes with different qualities would have ensured that the finished wine attained a proper balance of sugar, acid, ripeness and tannin.
In order to pursue his interest in Zinfandel, Rhone grape varieties and old vineyards, Fred Cline founded Cline Cellars near Oakley in 1981. The Ancient Vines bottlings are made from grapes grown in these low-yielding, Contra Costa County vineyards. In 1991, Cline moved his winemaking facility to a large ranch in Carneros, the cool, wind-swept district just north of San Pablo Bay between Napa and Sonoma counties. Even though Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate the vineyards here, Cline decided to plant Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussane and has proven that even in a cool climate these varietals can develop intense but elegant fruit and perfume. A more recent acquisition lies near Petaluma, in Sonoma County, and Cline Cellars has now added Pinot Noir to its roster of Zinfandel and Rhone reds and whites.
A focus on Zinfandel and Rhone varietal wines has not always been easy, but Cline Cellars has repeatedly earned accolades and critical acclaim. Over the years, many of the Zinfandels and others have earned 90 points and up in the Wine Spectator, and Wine & Spirits has called the Ancient Vines Mourvèdre “one of the top 100 values.” It doesn’t get much better than this: hand-crafted wines from sustainably-farmed vineyards that are intimately connected to California’s winemaking history. The wines of Cline Cellars are deep and rich with elegance, complexity and flavor AND available at reasonable prices.
| Country | USA |
| Region | California |
| Appellation(s) | Contra Costa County |
| Winery | Cline |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Color | Rose |
| Varietal(s) | 86% Mourvèdre, 14% Zinfandel |
| Closure | Screw Cap |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Bottle Size | 8.0 x 30.0 |
| Case Size | 33.0 x 25.0 x 31.0 |
| Alcohol | 13.0% |
| Product Code | CL19ROS |
| UPC | 098652190040 |
Salmon-colored, the wine offers aromas of watermelon, strawberry, and floral notes that open up to layers of strawberries, tangy orange, and pomegranate. Crisp and dry, it has a supple and silky structure and a long and lively finish.
After handpicking, the grapes were handled more like a white wine than a red. The grapes were pressed and the juice was fermented slowly at chilled temperatures without any skin contact. Aging in stainless steel.