Washington Tasting Room Magazine recently sampled a vertical flight consisting of three consecutive vintages (2015-2017) of Mourvèdre from Seattle-based craft producer :Nota Bene Cellars. Each bottling was sourced from Heart of the Hill Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA. Vintners Tim Narby and his wife Carol Bryant have been at this a long time and are staunch believers in using fruit from the finest-run vineyards possible. (Heart of the Hill Vineyards is part of Kiona Vineyards managed by Scott Williams and his family for decades, a stand-out vineyard by anyone’s standard.)
Tim and Carol’s small-lot wines are consistently solid and always made with utter care and respect for the fruit. “Wines made in small lots are as unique as can be. Creating wines that flow with the vintage and show the nuances of the seasons are much more fun for us,” says Tim. Our tasting editors found each of these bottling to be equally outstanding, defined by the character of each vintage.
Visit & Taste:
:Nota Bene Cellars is a member of Seattle Urbn Wineries and open Second Saturdays from 1-5pm at 9320 15th Ave S, Unit CC, Seattle. Visit their website to learn more at notabenecellars.com or phone (206) 459-2785.
Below are three vertical vintages of Mourvèdre we recently reviewed:
:Nota Bene Cellars 2017 Heart of the Hill Mourvèdre
92 pts.
Silky, with a nice vibrancy underscoring minerally-driven flavors of blackberry, violet, peppercorn and suede. Accents of wild raspberry pick up along the finish, threaded with fine tannins and loamy earth notes. $30
:Nota Bene Cellars 2016 Heart of the Hill Mourvèdre
92 pts.
Full bodied and elegantly structured, with rich blackberry preserves and red stone fruit dominating the palate. Floral accents and hints of graham, leather and fresh-dug soil weave through textural palate, backlit with vibrant acidity and a tight mesh of tannins that extend the length. $30
:Nota Bene Cellars 2015 Heart of the Hill Mourvèdre
92 pts.
Harmoniously structured and incredibly fresh tasting in spite of being one of the warmest vintages on record, bursting with aromas of earthy-toned fruit, flowers and spice. Ripe red plum, raspberry and cranberry flavors are layered with pink and green peppercorn, finishing with expressive graphite, dried lavender and thyme that flourish on the lingering aftertaste. $30