TN: 2010 Halcon - "Esquisto" (USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands)

[Paul_Gordon]

Yay!!!

That’s got to be a fascinating wine: a Mourvèdre grown at the very limit of it’s ability to produce ripe fruit, right?

Yes picked late October at 22.5b. Great color and the seeds were hard and brown.

[Markus_S]

@Brian G r a f s t r o m

His comment was that there was more site specific commonality then difference between the varieties.

Sounds like Rhys, and how the pinots can taste like the syrahs.

[Robert_Pavlovich]

@Drew Goin

Thanks for the tasting note, Brian!!!


A 100% Mourvèdre from Halcón would be a great thing to try!!

Funny you mention that Drew - we are bottling a 2017 100% estate Mourvedre today. Only 70 cases, that we will offer to the mailing list early next year.

Good to hear

[Drew_Goin]

Paul, please expect a “Mourvèdre Appreciation Social Club” interview email in the near future…

[Drew_Goin]

I am excited about the prospect of seeing something completely different from my favorite grape variety.


I am sending you an email Paul, which may appear later in the “Mourvèdre Appreciation” thread, so I don’t wish to be redundant.

Nevertheless, it is probably true to state that Halcón Vineyards is growing and producing Mourvèdre from the coolest site in the US, if not the world!

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

2010 Halcon Vineyards Mourvèdre Esquisto - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (5/22/2020)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over 2 – 3 hours –

NOSE: meaty; “dark,” but also high-toned, which I don’t usually get with dark-fruited wines; fairly expressive, with a pleasant touch of savory brininess.

BODY: magenta-garnet color of medium-deep depth; medium bodied; some shimmering fine crystals suspended in the wine and also on the bottom of the cork.

TASTE: Nose is reflected on the palate: a bit savory, gentle rubbery/smoke/meaty note; rosemary; good acidity; meaty, but not funky; still has some drying tannins; drinks young; 13.5% alc. not noticeable; like this a lot, and wish I had more. Drink Now through 2030, perhaps, which is a revision of my previous opinion that this should be consumed in the near term.

50, 5, 13, 17, 8 = (93 pts.)

[Paul_Gordon]

2010 Halcon Vineyards Mourvèdre Esquisto - USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands (5/22/2020)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over 2 – 3 hours –

NOSE: meaty; “dark,” but also high-toned, which I don’t usually get with dark-fruited wines; fairly expressive, with a pleasant touch of savory brininess.

BODY: magenta-garnet color of medium-deep depth; medium bodied; some shimmering fine crystals suspended in the wine and also on the bottom of the cork.

TASTE: Nose is reflected on the palate: a bit savory, gentle rubbery/smoke/meaty note; rosemary; good acidity; meaty, but not funky; still has some drying tannins; drinks young; 13.5% alc. not noticeable; like this a lot, and wish I had more. Drink Now through 2030, perhaps, which is a revision of my previous opinion that this should be consumed in the near term.

50, 5, 13, 17, 8 = (93 pts.)

Brian

Glad the wine showed so well. I think I have just one bottle left. Will have to drink it later this year.

Paul

[Brian_G_r_a_f_s_t_r_o_m]

Thanks for the stupendous wine, Paul! Do you still bottle a 100% Mourvedre?

[Paul_Gordon]

Thanks for the stupendous wine, Paul! Do you still bottle a 100% Mourvedre?

Brian

Since 2017, yes.

Paul