RP 87 WS 88 - Robert Parker 87 Points The 2007 Ancient Vines Mourvedre possesses a more rugged constitution with meaty, earthy notes interwoven with hints of underbrush, forest floor, raspberry, black cherry, pepper, and spice. The tannins are slightly more noticeable, but Cline's style is to keep the oak levels low, and bottle the wines early so the fruit dominates. It should drink well for 1-2 years. Wine Spectator 88 Points Big and intense, with minty bay leaf scents joining ripe, rich blackberry and wild berry flavors that are framed by gritty, minerally tannins and a dash of pepper. Drink now through 2012.

This nicely extracted and well-ripened youngster sports a nice snap of brightness to its ongoing themes of blackberries, cocoa and spice. It is fairly full on the palate, but stays in balance from front to back, and, if just a touch hot and lightly tannic at the finish, it never lets go of its lively young fruit and will improve over the next couple of years.

Community Tasting Notes (average 88.2 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 23 notes)

Souper de jarrets de veau chez Fred un vin rond et souple avec une belle finale de fruits rouges et des tanins de cuir.<br/>

Visited the vineyard 9/4/09 Contra Costa County

Very drinkable. A fave.<br/>