Our Mourvèdre adventures via Paso Robles continue. After the lean bright Croad (read here), today we try something a bit more friendly.  Former footballer-turned winemaker, Terry Hoag, makes some solid estate wines (read here) even if they’re named after pigskin puns. Only one wine sees Mourvèdre added: “5 Blocks” (referring to his five field goal blocks in college…of course).

Mourvèdre plays to type, with more of a supporting role at 28%, Syrah leads with 60%, followed by 12% Grenache that rounds out the blend.

How is it:

TH Vineyards, 5 Blocks, Paso Robles, Willow Creek District, California Cuvee 2015 $60

It looks an inky purple, ruby-rimmed, and running the glass with thin tinted legs.  The moderate nose smells of cocoa powder, fresh mint leaf, and vanilla extract tossed on top of a hot, bubbling, black cherry pie. The dry palate has enough acidity, medium balsa wood tannins, a hot pie alcoholic heat (14.6%), and a medium plus body. But left open overnight, the flavors come to the fore. Baked black cherry, raspberry, and boysenberry fruits come off clean and ripe. Yet a serious streak of bootstrap leather, peppercorn, and pipe tobacco tame the fruit beast.

Terry Hoag’s 5 Blocks is ripe, readied, and very good (4 of 5). Drink it solely or with lamb dishes, portobello mushroom burgers, truffled cheeses, dark chocolate.

Not bad for a footballer.