2014 Law Estate Prima Mourvèdre

Law Estate Wines was started in 2008, when Don and Susie Law planted vineyards in the hills west of Paso Robles. An engineer by training, Don Law became interested in wine in the 1970s during visits to Central Coast wine regions. Because he and his wife enjoy Rhone wines, they bought 230 acres above Peachy Canyon Road and planted vineyards at elevations between 1,600 and 1,900 feet. Of the 57 acres of vineyards, most are planted to Grenache and Syrah, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, Carignan, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo. Since 2013 small amounts of Clairette Blanche, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier have also been planted. Scott Hawley is winemaker. He spent 16 years in Paso Robles winemaking before coming to Law Estate. The first commercial release was the 2010 vintage. Law makes Rhone-style blends that earn high ratings. Vinous Media has called Law Estates “one of the most exciting and ambitious wineries to emerge in Paso Robles in recent years….the wines are intensely perfumed and flavored, with noteworthy power but lush, seamless texture.”

Paso Robles AVA is midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and it is considered one of the West Coast’s most exciting winemaking regions. With its hot, sometimes searingly dry and sunny weather, it is especially good country for growing warm climate grapes such as Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Because many Paso Robles wineries have been successful with blending these grapes into Rhone Valley-style wines, it is known as the Rhone zone of California. The AVA was created in 1983 and there are 32,000 vineyard acres. In late 2014 the AVA was divided into 11 smaller sub-appellations, so starting with 2015 vintages labeling will become more specific on Paso Robles wines, which will now also list sub-appellations. Located in San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles, the town and its surrounding area, was traditionally a farming and ranching region. But from a few dozen wineries in the early 1990s to more than 200 today, the area is quickly becoming known for wine and risk-taking winemakers.

Fans of Cabernet Sauvignon appreciate Mourvèdre. It’s a full-bodied Spanish native. It is grown prominently in Bandol, France, Paso Robles, CA and many other regions. It is often blended with Grenache and Syrah and can be used to make rosé and port-style wines.