Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/688647
74 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } JUNE/JULY 2016 Bonny Doon Vineyard 2011 Old Telegram, California ($40) 100% Mourvèdre Incredible structure: athletic, but like a swimmer, not a linebacker ; sanguine notes of teriyaki beef jerky, blueberry and blackberry. —JB Funky, Old World barnyard nose; stylish, elegant and poised with great acid; a class act. —DG Cypher Winery 2013 El Pelon Mourvèdre, Paso Robles ($55) Herbes de Provence, black tea and red plum; bright yet cool as a cucumber ; a personal favorite. —JB Ideal palate weight; subdued, complex and suave on the finish; a personal fave here too. —DG Cypher Winery 2012 "Anarchy," Paso Robles ($40) 36% Zinfandel, 36% Mourvèdre, 28% Syrah Boysenberry, tilled earth on the nose; Pixy Stix, coconut, oak and vanilla on the palate. —JB Big fruit-bomb nose; jammy and fun; Zin dominates. —DG Hecht & Bannier 2011 Bandol, France ($25) Band-Aid, curing spice and blackberry nose; dusty; the secondary flavors are much louder than the primary. —JB Heady nose with brett; dusky fruit flavors; big grippy finish. —DG FREDERICK WILDMAN AND SONS Hewiston 2013 Baby Bush Mourvèdre, Barossa Valley, Australia ($20) Selection massale from Hewitson's Old Garden vines. Creamy raspberry yogurt with tones of black pepper and eucalyptus. —JB Nice mid-weight palate; juicy and fruity with lots of charm. —DG USA WINE WEST Hewitson 2010 Old Garden Mourvèdre, Barossa Valley, Australia ($78) From the oldest Mourvèdre vineyard in the world, planted 1853. Game, leather, gravel and dried plum nose; leathery tannins and an incredible, lasting finish that makes you come back for more. —JB Brickish color ; intriguing, complex nose with lots going on; haunting finish. A superb wine. —DG USA WINE WEST Old-vine Monastrell in a vineyard at Bodegas Juan Gil in Murcia, Spain. { varietals } PHOTO COURTESY OF GIL FAMILY ESTATES