WTN: Halcon, Portteus

[Jenise]

Monday night around the fire pit:

2018 Halcon Vineyards Mourvèdre Yorkville Highlands
Surprised by all the positive reviews on CT. This bottle had the light body and acidity of unsweetened cranberry juice but not the fruit. It was herbal, savory and sour. I do love acidity but a counterbalance is required, and this didn't have it. It was hard to drink and I resorted to blending it with a fruitier, low-acid wine to create a complete whole.

2015 Portteus Zinfandel Rattlesnake Hills
Needed a fruity wine to blend with an underfruited mourvedre, and this was a great choice. The fruit is gorgeous, and the green bell pepper notes (I know, pyrazines, but as someone who snacks on raw green bell peppers it's not the problem to me that it is to some) and it blended beautifully with the savory elements of the wine I was trying to save.

[David M. Bueker]

Halcon is a love it or hate it wine. I love it, but have to be in the right mood.

[Jenise]

Reading the CT reviews (which I did before ordering six of these), I was pretty sure it was my kind of wine. But this, as it was on Monday, is no one's kind of wine. Kind of wonder if it wasn't a duff bottle.

[David M. Bueker]

I think I only have the 2019 left downstairs.

[David M. Bueker]

You are going to love the news that Pax Mahle has purchased the Halcon vineyards. Let’s dump more acid on the fire!

[Jenise]

LOL.

Jenise, I would suspect a bad bottle (or at least an off bottle); the '18 Mourvedre I've had (2 so far), has had wonderful structure, with medium-full body, ample fruit, texturally very engaging, and a long, slow future ahead of it. Don't give up!

[Jenise]

Thanks, Steve, that's just the encouragement I need.

Got some 09 Portteus Old Vines Zin - think I better get at it!