2013 Alban Vineyards The Mason Mourvedre Forsythe Vineyard Edna Valley

Forsythe is Lorraine's mother's maiden name, and Mason is named after her grandfather, who was a brick mason. The 2013 The Mason Forsythe Vineyard is another killer vintage for this wine. Inky colored, it offers a huge nose of smoked meats, currants, salt cured ham, flowers and spice. Just gorgeously layered, rich, ripe and structured, it’s one blockbuster Mourvèdre that needs a few years of bottle age. It should drink nicely for as long as you’re likely to keep bottles. Review Date: August 2017

The Mourvedre based 2013 The Mason features a very deep inky purple color and profoundly scented earthy/meaty nose of grilled meat, charcuterie, tilled soil, underbrush and tree bark with a fruit core of preserved plums, blackberry pie and black currant cordial plus touches of licorice and mocha. Full-bodied, rich, decadent and yet wonderfully plush, there is a compelling interplay in the mouth between gregarious fruit and earthy restraint, finishing with a refreshing lift that will have you reaching for another glass! (LPB) 97+ Review Date: December 2017