Cline 2023 Mourvedre Ancient Vines Contra Costa County

Over 100 years dry farming!

"With aromas of plum, cranberry, cedar and vanilla. Flavors of plum, cranberry, pomegranate, lilac, tangerine, and lightly toasted oak and a persistent finish.

Ancient Vines Mourvèdre is produced from two of our oldest and most historic vineyards - Bridgehead and Big Break in Oakley, CA. These blocks perpetually produce fruit that is of stunning concentration. We are able to reach this concentration as a result of sensitive farming practices, the singular Oakley terroir, and a unique cooling band of air that flows in from the Sacramento Delta. By naturally restricting yields to only 2 to 3 tons per acre, we are able to achieve a sublime expression of Mourvèdre. These grapes hold characteristics of dark, dusty berry fruit that makes our Ancient Vines Mourvèdre so lustrous.

Individual lots of grapes were harvested separately according to ripeness and balance of acidity. Grapes underwent total destemming and a very gentle crushing to ensure a large proportion of whole berries in the must. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts. It was then maintained at 85°F to aid in the extraction of flavor and color. The wine was pressed off the skins at dryness before being racked to dark toasted American oak where it was gently aged for 12 months before bottling.