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Wine Recommendation
VIE Winery
2005 “L’Intruse” Mourvedre(Santa Barbara County)
Mourvedre is sometimes thought of as one of the those grapes that shouldn’t go out on its own; that is to say, it’s often better, used in judicious amounts, in Rhone varietal blends. Which is why it’s unusual that the partners at VIE decided to go with a varietally labeled Mourvedre. So they just turned the blending equation upside down: Syrah and Grenache (25% total) are in the minority, with Mourvedre making up the bulk of the blend.
Dark meaty fruit, like blueberry and blackberry, is obvious on the nose, along with leather and a sort of steak/rib rub seasoning. Dark fruits come through in spades on the palate too: blackberry, black cherry, and dark plums are all in the mix, which is richly concentrated. Lavender, lead pencil and coffee grounds are the spice package that lurks just under the surface and gives the fruit driven flavors a more complete expression. Fresh, fruity and dripping with concentration, this is the deep, dark star sleeper of the VIE line-up.
Reviewed October 24, 2007 by Dennis Schaefer.
Other reviewed wines from VIE Winery
The Wine
Winery: VIE Winery |
The Reviewer
Dennis Schaefer
Dennis Schaefer has been tasting and writing about wine for over 30 years, propelled by a continuing curiosity and burgeoning enthusiasm for discovering what’s in the bottle. Blessed with catholic tastes, he enjoys everything from the obvious to the sublime. A major requirement is that the vineyard, winery and winemaker consistently perform well and fulfill their potential. Balance, concentration and complexity are key to the tasting experience but, in the end, the purpose of wine is simply to give pleasure. |