Awesome sign out front of Cline Cellars today. As regular readers know, Cline has been a favorite of mine since I got into wine, and one of the first to turn me on to Mourvèdre way back when. (After adopting a mascot last week, perhaps this could be #TeamMourvedre’s new motto.) (hat tip)
Carignane is about as unsexy as grapes get. Firstly, it’s a pretty ugly-sounding word. And have you ever heard anybody say, “My favorite wine is Carignane”? I didn’t think so. When it is used, it’s most often in blend, so today’s varietal Carignane from Cline is suitably oddball. And being “old vines” adds a little extra … Continue reading Oddball Wine of the Week: Cline Ancient Vines Carignane 2007
I always look forward to opening another bottle of wine from Cline Cellars. Cashmere is their GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre) and in their latest release – the 2008 – they’ve upped the share of Mourvèdre in the blend. Your favorite blogger’s favorite grape is now the lead dog at 44%. (Let’s all pretend … Continue reading Mourvèdre Monday #21: Cline Cashmere 2008
If memory serves, Cline’s was the very first varietal Mourvèdre I ever tasted, way back in the mid-90s in the tasting room. If it wasn’t the first, it was certainly the one that made me take notice of the grape. It’s been an old favorite ever since. Producer: Cline Cellars Grapes: 100% Mourvèdre Appellation: Contra … Continue reading Mourvèdre Monday #11: Cline Ancient Vines 2008
As I’ve noted in earlier posts, I’ve been a big fan of Cline wines since my very first trip to wine country in the mid-90s. Theirs was my first introduction to Mourvèdre and I’ve been a “Mourvèdre-head” ever since. Producer: Cline Grapes: 100% Mourvèdre Appellation: Contra Costa County Vineyards: From a 9-acre block of 100+ … Continue reading Cline Small Berry Mourvedre 2005
I’ve opened several bottles from Cline recently and I was in the mood for this Mourvèdre. Cline is one of the few Cali producers that focuses on this grape and they’ve got some historic old vines to work with. Producer: Cline Cellars Grapes: Mourvèdre (100%, I think … but it’s not stated on the label … Continue reading Cline Ancient Vines Mourvedre 2005
I opened another bottle from Cline last night. My stock of everyday wines has gotten low, so I’m raiding my nicer bottles. I have four vintages of this wine in my cellar. It was a stand-out for me on my last visit to the winery a few years back and I’ve been saving my club … Continue reading Cline Los Carneros Syrah 2006 Carneros
Yesterday was Independence Day (I wish people still called it that instead of “The Fourth”) and so that means I, like millions of others, BBQed. Pork shoulder smoked for 5 hours with a mix of Jack Daniels oak chips (made from used aging barrels) and applewood. Pulled the pork into tender shreds and put on … Continue reading Cline Bridgehead Zinfandel 2006 Contra Costa County
Sometimes you just need a good cheap bottle. At this price point, I’ll keep it short and sweet. This was a surprisingly tasty bottle of wine for seven or eight bucks! Juicy and tense with with cherry-red berry notes on a light-bodied frame. An almost smoky note and a dry, tannic finish brings some welcome … Continue reading Trader Joe’s Wine Find: VINTJS Carignane 2013
A friend of mine has a new post on her Tumblr blog called 15 Wines Under $15, where she’s gathered up recommendations from a dozen or so of her wino … er … most festive friends. My contribution was a Mourvèdre (natch): the Cline Ancient Vines Mourvèdre. My favorite of the rest of the recos is … Continue reading 15 Wines Under $15