The magnificently mysterious Mourvèdre or Mataró or Murviedro or Monastrell to name a few. ...an ‘intellectual curiosity’ ...

Most historians agree that Mourvèdre is likely to be Spanish in origin, though its exact history is difficult to pinpoint.[2] The variety was probably introduced to Valencia by the Phoenicians around 500 BC. The French-adapted name Mourvèdre probably came from Murviedro (Mourvèdre in Valenciano, nowadays Sagunt) near Valencia while the Spanish name Mataró is thought to have come from Mataró, Catalonia near the modern-day city of Barcelona.[5] Despite this close association with Murviedro and Mataró, the became known in Spain as Monastrell for reasons that are still unknown though Oz Clarke speculates that a "neutral" name may have been chosen so as not to offend the local pride of both regions.[4] It was brought to France in the 16th centaury and has been growing in Australia since the 1830’s. The first plantings in California came with the Pellier Collection 1860’s. South Africas first plantings are thought to have come from California. A grape variety that is grown in many regions around the world including the Rhône and Provence regions of France, the Valencia and Jumilla denominacio nes de origen of Spain, California and Washi ngton State and the Australian regions of South Australia and New South Wales, as well as South Africa.

• The old French saying goes, “Mourvedre needs its head in the sun, its feet in cool soil and a view of the sea.” • Suites most soil types but it found in Spain, Bandol and Paso Robles on lime rich soils • It doesn’t like wet feet but it needs moisture to stop it stressing. • Late budding, late ripening. Frost resistant. • Grows upright and can be very vigorous • Susceptible to powdery mildew • Thick skinned • Its seeds are not a good indicator for ripeness. • Goes from green to over ripe quickly • Works very well as a bush vine • Most plantings are on R110 and R99 rootstocks in SA. • Clones in SA – MT 11 up until now with new clones just coming in MT450 and MT1069: Origin France; both of these are new imports from the ENTAV-INRA selections, selected for lower yields/smaller berries. Not much planted yet

Rosa Kruger comments Andrew Teubes comments

. Mourvedre is, to my limited knowledge, . The most suitable soil type for Mourvedre is very difficult in SA. slightly idealistic and falls somewhere . I do not think we have discovered its exact between a soil with growth limiting perfect yet here in SA. I have only properties and a soil with good water worked with 4 different parcels myself. retention capacity. Soils with a light topsoil . Best grown in raised bushvines, prone to texture (sandy/gravelly/stony) will restrain oidium and uneven ripening. I have found it vigour, and medium to heavier clay subsoils to be late ripening and that can cause problems as it has to hang through ALL the for moisture retention are recommended. bloody heatwaves in Swartland! The cultivar is well suited to warm conditions, therefore the warmest slopes . In wine it tends to go leathery, gamey and high alcohol easily. may be planted. . I have grown it in a chandelier bush vine at . www.wineland.co.za/practical-viticultural- Riebeeksrivier and for some reason it experience-of-certain-new-cultivars-2 seems to like that shape. Topping could be a problem because the shoots are so strong and upright - be careful of hard topping that causes natrosse.

In 2000 Mourvedre was the 12th most planted grape in the world. Spain –Main regions are Jumilla, Yecla, Valencia, Almansa and Alicante. France – Bandol, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and Languedoc Roussillon. In Bandol all red must contain at least 50% Mourvedre. Most have more than this. USA – California and Washington state. Rhone rangers have secured its survival in the US. 350 ha are planted in California Australia – Traditionally used it as a bulk varietal. Now plantings are focused in South Australia and McLaren Vale. The Barossa valley producing wines from the oldest vines. South Africa – Has a Total of 473ha(2016) this is up from mid 2000’s. Swartland(32%) Paarl(20%) Stel (10%) Wellington(8%) and Cape South Coast(4%) In comparison to 344ha, Cab Franc 835ha and Cinsault 1766ha

• Used to make both Rose and red wines. Normally by bleeding juice off.

• Thick skinned so high in phenolic compounds

• Tannic wines dark in colour

• High in alcohol

• Prone to oxidation and reduction

• Bandol it is commonly fermented with stems. New world it is mostly destemmed

• Quite a few SA producers now using partly or total whole bunch fermentation

• Mostly fermented in open fermenters with punch downs and pump overs to give the fermentation juice some air

• Does not absorb new well, so better in neutral oak. Larger format oak is used most commonly.

Flavour profile of wines Colour – Dark in reds and pale pink in Rose. Aromas- black and blue fruits, violets, truffle, liquorice and assorted floral note. Also spice, alcohol and meaty aromas Palate- Mourvèdre in its youth can come across as faulty with farmyard- y and strong herbal flavours Favourable can produce highly perfumed wines with intense notes of blackberry and gamy or meaty flavours Jancis Robinson describes the wine and grape in the following way. History Founded in 1890 by Marcel Ott. Today, 120 years later, cousins Christian and Jean-François Ott dedicate their life to their ancestor’s love for the site. In 2004, Domaines Ott* joined Louis Roederer and its fabulous selection of wine craftsmen. The wine: CHÂTEAU ROMASSAN ROSE 2016 These characteristics ensure that Mourvèdre, the major grape in this blend, fulfils its potential and provides solidity, structure and a great capacity for ageing. It is complemented by the full-bodied texture of Grenache, the softness of Cinsault and, for its small contribution, the fruity roundness of . Analysis: Alc 13.5% TA 4.73 pH3.38 Production: Not known but they sell 60% of their total production is sold in France Price R495 The Bottle: Today, it is still the signature of Domaines Ott* and it evokes the memory of an elegant amphora that kept the wine cool many centuries ago. History The Three Foxes is a small-scale set up in 2004 by three young South African friends. Our focus is making small parcels of outstanding wine (not more than 2000 bottles per ) from sourced from the most exciting around the Cape. The wine: The Three Foxes 2017 Planted on the South Eastern Slopes of the Kasteelberg Mountain, on Malemsbury Shale. The vines are 4 yrs bush vines. Fermented 50% whole cluster with one punch down per day. Matured for 11 months in old barrels. Analysis: Alc 13.8% TA4.9 pH 3.84 Production: 333 x 6 cases Price: R350 History Paix Sur Terre, French for "Peace on Earth," is the name Ryan and Nicole Pease chose for their winery which they started in 2010. They focus on balanced, mineral- driven wines made in small lots with fruit from some of California's best vineyards. They've developed quite a penchant for making some of the best Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah, and Mediterranean-style whites coming out of California today and have garnered some serious critical acclaim for their efforts. The Wine: The Other One 2016 Glenrosa in Paso Robles, California. 100% varietal from 19yr old vines. Ferment 100% whole bunch for 15 days. Aged for 14 months in neutral French oak. Production: 300 cases x 6 Analysis: Alc: 14.7 TA 5.8 pH 3.77 Price: $55

History Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley. Our fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills. Wine: Old Garden Vineyard 2013 – The vineyard is the oldest Mourvèdre vineyard in the world. Planted in 1853. Dry-grown, original existing vines pre-Phylloxera. Eight rows of this rare and unique planting remain to this day at Rowland Flat and produce winemaker Dean Hewitson’s much-lauded single-vineyard bearing the Old Garden name. The vineyard has been hand- tended and dry-farmed by Friedrich Koch and his direct descendants across three centuries. 20% whole bunch; cold soak one week; on skins three weeks after cold soak/remontage 18 months new French oak barriques. Analysis: Alc 14% TA 6 pH3.54 Production: 800 to 1000 cases Price:$88.00 History Motivated by the desire to produce wines with historical content and attracted by the Mediterranean climate, we acquired the property in 1999. Here they combine their own climate and soil, a vineyard, a variety, the Monastrell, and a thousand- year-old tradition. 40 hectares of vineyards settled on land of scant structure. Brown-limestone soils, very poor in clay and humus, which makes them perfect for the production of great wines and tasty Mediterranean character. The Wine: El Seque 2015 made from Organically gown Mourvedre 90% with 10% Syrah. 600m elevation. 4tons per ha. Fermented in open vats for 14 days with both punch and pump overs. Aged for 4 months in 500 Liter French oak Analysis: Alc 15.04% TA 5.32 pH 3.48 Production: 3000 cases Price: Euro 15 History In 1978, Henri de Saint Victor left his job in a pharmaceutical research laboratory to start, at the age of 51, the construction of Pibarnon. Courage, stubbornness and an unshakable conviction in the magic of the terroir of Pibarnon, give Henri de Saint-Victor the necessary energy to create great wines. Catherine and Henri de Saint Victor therefore make their first vinification in 1978. The Wine: Pibarnon 2012 The blend of the 2012 is 92% Mourvèdre and 8% Grenache, all of which saw an extended and 18-20 months in larger foudres. Analysis: Alc 14 % Production: 1200 cases Price: R495 History Established in 1855 by Henry Reynoard. In 2009 Julien, the fourth generation of Castell on the Estate, takes over the vineyard and focuses primarily technical to biodynamic agriculture, to ensure continuity in the search for quality. Wine: Clos Castell 2011 Carefully harvested and transported by box of 10kg to maintain the integrity of the grapes, clusters are then sorted in the cellar. All the clusters re made whole in tank for maceration without addition of sulfites. Fermentation is done through natural yeast to preserve the wealth and all the qualities of grapes and terroir. Age in barrel, is bottling by hand with slow sulphiting. Analysis: Alc 14.46 TA 4.58 pH 3.62 Production: 100 cases Price : Euro 38 History Established by the Tempier family in 1940. It is still family owned. Planted to mostly Mourvedre Cinsault and Syrah. The wine: La Tourtine 2011 The Tourtine is located on the hill of Castellet, the vine grows here on soils calcareous clay of Santonian Valdonien type, the traditional terroir par excellence of the aoc Bandol. In these comfortable clays and at the height of the summer period, it happens that one can pass a hand to see a tight fist in the crevices caused by the retraction of clays that dry. This may surprise a little but shows that the vine has a deep rooting and it is one of the characteristics of the Tourtine. We are located on a hillside, very sunny and windy and it is probably the combination of all these factors that makes it one of the largest of Bandol. Analysis: Alc 15.22 TA 4.88 pH 3.63 Production:500 cases Price: Euro 48 on allocation only History 1549 Pierre de Beaucastel bought the property and started to make wines. Today it is still a proper family business. With several properties. They claim that their strength lies in blending. Wine – Hommage à Jacques Perrin 2013 is incredibly rare, producing less than 300 cases per year and only made in excellent vintages. In 2013 production is down 10%. As such it takes pride of place alongside Romanee Conti, Le Pin and Screaming Eagle as one of the world’s rarest and most prestigious wines. Its debut vintage, the 1989 was awarded 100 points, as was the 1990; these trade at over £800 per bottle today. Since these seminal vintages, Beaucastel’s Hommage à Jacques Perrin also scored 100 points in 1998 and 2007.the 2013 has been scored 97-100 points Analysis Alc 15.07 TA 5.44 pH 3.52 Production: 300 cases Price:R5000 per bottle Rose by Cape Coral Mourvèdre Rose Waterkloof 2017, Somerset West Babylonstoring Mourvèdre Rose 2017, Paarl Joostenberg Mourvèdre 2016, Paarl Black Pearl Mourvèdre 2015 Agter Paarl Circumstance Mourvèdre 2016 by Waterkloof Spice Route Terra De Bron 2012, Swartland Eben Sadie Mourvèdre 2017 barrel sample Swartland The Three Foxes Mourvèdre 2017 by Chris Mullineux, Kasteelberg Mountain Beaumont Mourvèdre 2011, Bot River Beaumont Vitruvian 2011, Bot River Mourvedre based blend

Other Single Varietal Mourvèdre Blends

. Some distinguished Mourvèdres . Torbreck Runrig included: . Penfolds Bin 138 . Casa Castillo Pie Franco, Jumilla; . Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape . Torbreck the Pict, Australia; . Torres Gran Muralles . Carlisle "Bedrock Vineyard" Sonoma Valley; . Scaggs Vineyard Montage G-S-M . Small Berry Mourvèdre; . Bonny Doon, Old Telegram in California. Mourvedre background www.jancisrobinson.com/learn/grape- www.hewitson.com.au varieties/red/mourvedre www.castell-reynoard.com www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAVQ4aXgAwU www.artadi.com www.winemag.com/varietals/mourvedre/?s=&drink_type= wine&varietal=Mourv%C3%A8dre&page=3&sort_by=ratin www.beaucastel.com g&sort_dir=desc www.paixsurterrewines.com www.sawis.co.za/info/download/Vineyards_2016_1.pdf www.domainetempier.com www.wineland.co.za/practical-viticultural-experience-of- certain-new-cultivars-2/ www.waterkloofwines.co.za https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mourvèdre www.mlfwines.com www.fairview.co.za www.domaines-ott.com/fr www.carlislewinery.com www.beaumont.co.za www.joostenberg.co.za www.blackpearlwines.com www.carlislewinery.com