Tasting Mourvèdre
We have been tasting lots of Mouvedre lately – from barrels produced from the same vineyard as ours to older bottles from our cellar.
Last Saturday we tried a 1998 Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape and a 2001 Domain Tempier from Bandol. The wines are very different – different blends, different terroir and different years. Despite the difference, the similar characteristics of the Mourvèdre was prevalent. Both wines were very enjoyable!
Night One – when poured strait from the bottle (no air time), the earthy characteristic was the focus. The older Beaucastel was much smoother as expected. After a few hours of decanting, there was a detectable strawberry aroma.
Night Two – the earthy characteristic was diminished and the spring fruit aromas were clearer.
It will be interesting to see how our Mourvèdre blend ends up in a few years.
Both bottles were enjoyable.
Tempier Yammy…. I thought that Tempier is 100 morv. (not a blend)? at least that’s what Kermit tells me.
The Bandol Classique is typically around 75% Mour. with mixes of Cinsault, Grenache and a touch of Carignane. Whereas the Tempier Cabassaou may contain up to 95% Mour. All-in-all, Domaine Tempier is a blend
I had read 30% for Beaucastel and 70% for the Tempier. I am sure it varies by year (crop load and blending).