Review of 4.0 Cellars Mourvèdre 2013

We received the product for review and all opinions are our own.

As ground zero for our fast growing Texas winemaking region in the Hill Country, the 290 Wine Trail hosts a plethora of wineries spanning Johnson City to Fredericksburg. One thing that can be said about Texas wine is there is no lack of options. Dry wine, sweet wine, bold reds, elegant whites, powerful Madeiras…the list goes on and on. Speaking of options, there is a tasting room many of you are most likely familiar with on the 290 Wine Trail called 4.0 Cellars. They take Texas wine options to the next level by offering wines to taste from three different Texas wineries. This allows people to taste wine from other parts of the state without the long drive to the wineries if you live in central Texas. Brennan Vineyards, Lost Oak Winery, and McPherson Cellars are all available to sample and enjoy in one spot. The tasting room is spacious and open, and the people are friendly and willing to share great discussion about the wonderful Texas wines poured and sold there. 4.0 Cellars has their own wine label, and this wine review is about one of them, produced by Brennan Vineyards.

Brennan Vineyards, located in Comanche, Texas, first opened their doors in 2005, having planted their original vines in 2002. Over the years they have established quite the reputation for consistent high quality wines. If you have not yet tasted the fruits of their labor, you owe it to yourself to pick up a bottle of wine either at their winery, at 4.0 Cellars on Wine Road 290, or in certain retail outlets such as Specs. Mourvèdre is a grape known the world over. Wines with structure and finesse are produced from this grape that are bold enough to show very well on their own, as well as lend a helping hand offering complex nuances as part of a blend. Now that we are all salivating, let us move on to the review, shall we?

This wine was being touted on the wine forums recently, so I felt compelled to give it a try and see what all the fuss is about. The bottle is a Bordeaux style shape and gives home to the simple and uncluttered 4.0 Cellars label. Once the high quality cork was removed from the neck of the bottle via my stainless steel ‘cork extraction swat team,’ the wine pours into the glass a medium garnet, with a lighter garnet rim. Initially, no amount of swirling seemed to bring this wine to life and I began to worry it was just going to be too tight to enjoy now.

The aromas were basic red fruits and the palate was very one dimensional with the alcohol being quite out of balance on the hot side, with lingering heat on the palate. However, after about 20 minutes in the glass, this wine really began to come to life. On the nose, luscious red fruits such as bing cherries and plums dance on the palate, while black peppercorns and a hint of cinnamon round out the profile. Violets also sing a tune in the nostrils. On the palate, black cherry, raspberry, and peppercorns dominate, and a swath of grilled gamey meat finishes on the back end. The alcohol is a lot more integrated as well once the wine is exposed to oxygen for a period of time. The finish is very lengthy, offering great balance.

Specifications:

• 4.0 Cellars Mourvèdre, 2013 vintage
• Winemaker: Todd Webster
• Appellation: Texas, Brennan Vineyards Newburg Vineyard
• Grape varieties: 78% Mourvèdre, 22% Ruby Cabernet
• Barrels: 12 months in 50% neutral French oak, and 50% neutral American oak
• Clarity/Brightness: Clear/bright, with no detectable flaws and no evidence of gas or sediment
• Tannins: Medium plus
• Acidity: Medium
• Alcohol: High
• Finish: Long
• Alcohol by volume: 14.5%
• pH: 3.71
• Cases produced: 414
• Retail price: $35.00 (at the time of review)

I highly recommend this wine to anyone looking for an easy to drink wine to enjoy with or without food. Being a 2013 vintage, I find this wine to be very youthful and with that, very tight in the bottle. Decanting is highly recommended to really enjoy the wine in its entirety, although letting it come to temperature in the glass, post cellaring, or one of the aerators we have reviewed will also do the trick. This Mourvèdre is a medium bodied fruit bomb, with spicy and meaty notes on the palate, creating a rich and warm wine drinking experience. It drinks well now, but will continue to improve and evolve over the next several years in the cellar.

By the way, if you have not already, check out the brand new Brennan Vineyards website

Sip, savor, and enjoy my fellow aficionados.