2008 Mourvedre

Encounters with unblended Australian Mourvèdre are rare. The origins of Mourvèdre are almost certainly Spanish where it is often called Monastrell. It is the principal black grape of the five appellations that cluster on Spain's Southeastern Mediterranean Coast.

A very late variety in both bud break and ripening season, the Barossa Valley is one of the few areas in Australia that can successfully ripen Mourvèdre. One of the original grapes grown in the Barossa Valley, Mourvèdre thrives in the hot and dry conditions of a Barossa summer.

The wine produced from Mourvèdre’s small, sweet, thick-skinned berries tend to be deeply coloured, rich in spice, high in alcohol and tannin, gamey when young and full of fruit. The suitability of Mourvèdre to the Barossa’s climate was proven during the 2008 vintage. The varieties vigorous canopy and late ripening allowed the fruit to withstand the extreme heatwave the Barossa suffered in mid March. Low yields have resulted in a rich and generous wine with length of flavour and a fine, chalky finish.