For those of you familiar with Ian Brand’s first label, Le P’tit Paysan, La Marea is produced with equal care and craft, and is dedicated to the production of single-vineyard Spanish varieties from San Benito and Montery County. The 2013 Spur Ranch Vineyard Mourvedre is sourced from vines that are at an 1,000 foot elevation and are seated in soils that are high-calcareous content clay over mica shist. Aged 11 months in 25% new Hungarian oak with some lees contact, it’s ruby-hued and fresh, bursting with bright plum and cherry notes, along with earth, forest floor and brambles. In the mouth, it’s silky but tart, carved out by high-toned red berries, candied orange zest and a slightly herbal/mineral edge that emerges on a the finish. 14.1% ABV | Sample
9.1 Points