ess&see Mataro – Skol!

The ess&see Mataro, a wine fit to be served at Valhalla.

Mataro (aka Mourvèdre) from McLaren Vale, Australia. The wine was aged in older French barriques for 10 months.

The ess&see Mataro from Five O’Clock Somewhere has an SRP of $28 (Saturday Splurge). Only 100 cases produced. Imported by Biagio Cru and Estate Wines. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

Grown in a single vineyard at Blewitt Springs, this is a medium-bodied and fragrant Mataro that will be at its best when paired with foraged foods over the next 5 years or so. 1200 bottles made.

Artist: David Baracka
Winemaker: Steve Grimley

14.5% Alcohol

It’s been too long since we’ve featured a Saturday Splurge wine so today we’re back with a splash. Living in Minnesota and being from Scandinavian descent, I was immediately drawn to the eye-catching Viking-like label on this wine. As I popped it open and poured a glass I was hoping that the wine inside would at least not be a total let-down, as happens far too frequently with catchy labels. What I found instead was an stunning example of Mourvedre coming from a place you wouldn’t normally expect. At only 100 cases made it may be near impossible to find this wine, but if you can it is certainly one you want to snap up, even at $28.

The 2013 ess&see Mataro begins with some amazing spice and herbal notes on the fabulously enticing nose. Tasting the medium-bodied wine reveals it to be super silky smooth with lots of ripe red berries and an earthy/woodsy edge. Wonderful spice notes kick in mid-palate and intensify into the finish. The herbal notes from the nose also continue underneath and resolve on the long, dry, dusty finish. Even Thor himself would set down his hammer to drink this one. Skol (Cheers)!

Search for a listing of local retailers selling the ess&eee Mataro here.