Cline Mourvedre Rose

Cline Mourvèdre Rosé is a California blanc de noir rosé made from century-old Mourvèdre vines, bottled at approximately 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2018 vintage earned 92 points from Tasting Panel magazine, and the 2021 vintage took a Gold medal at Experience Rosé — recognition that reflects the uniqueness of its old-vine source material.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~12.5%  |  Origin: Contra Costa County, California  |  Style: Dry Rosé  |  Producer: Cline Family Cellars

Production & Heritage

Cline Family Cellars was founded in 1982 by Fred and Nancy Cline, who built their reputation around the ancient, head-trained vineyards of Contra Costa County's Oakley district. The Mourvèdre vines used for this rosé are over 100 years old, with naturally restricted yields of just two to three tons per acre — a fraction of typical California production. The wine is made in the blanc de noir style: red-skinned grapes are gently crushed and pressed to extract only a small amount of color and tannin, then fermented at low temperatures to preserve bright, primary fruit character. The blend typically includes around 76% Mourvèdre, 19% Primitivo, and 5% Zinfandel, giving it more depth and complexity than single-varietal rosés.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with fresh strawberry and ripe watermelon, building into dried herbs and a subtle earthy quality true to Mourvèdre's character. Hints of red apple skin and pink grapefruit add a zesty, aromatic lift.

Taste: The entry is soft and medium-bodied, with vivid raspberry and juicy watermelon flavors arriving first. At the mid-palate, peach and Bing cherry emerge alongside a streak of orange zest and gentle peppery spice. The Primitivo and Zinfandel components add a layer of ripe fruit richness without pushing the wine toward sweetness.

Finish: Dry and refreshing, with lingering notes of strawberry jam, lemon pith, and dried herbs. The texture stays smooth through the close, with enough grip to hold its structure.

How to Drink Cline Mourvèdre Rosé

Serve chilled to around 50–55°F for the fullest aromatic expression; a brief stint on ice works in warm weather but avoid over-chilling, which mutes the herbal and earthy notes that distinguish this from lighter rosés. This rosé has enough body and spice to work well in cocktails: try it in a Frosé, where its deep pink color and concentrated fruit freeze beautifully; in a Rosé Spritz with elderflower liqueur and sparkling water for a refreshing aperitif; or in a French Spring Punch with muddled strawberries and fresh basil, where the wine's herbal undertones amplify the botanicals.

Best For

• Warm-weather entertaining with Mediterranean-inspired dishes
• Introducing someone to Mourvèdre through an approachable, food-friendly format
• Bringing a distinctive bottle to a rosé tasting alongside Provençal wines
• Pairing with grilled meats and summer vegetable platters

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cline Mourvèdre Rosé taste like? It delivers vivid strawberry and watermelon fruit with an earthy, herbal undercurrent and a dry, refreshing finish. The Mourvèdre base gives it more depth and spice than most California rosés.

How does Cline Mourvèdre Rosé compare to Bandol rosé from Provence? Both rely on Mourvèdre as the primary grape, but Bandol rosés tend toward a paler, more mineral-driven profile shaped by limestone soils and Mediterranean climate. Cline's version is darker in color with riper fruit intensity, reflecting its warm Contra Costa County terroir and ancient sandy-loam vineyards.

Is Cline Mourvèdre Rosé good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its combination of bright fruit, moderate alcohol around 12.5%, and dry finish makes it an easy stand-alone sipper, especially when well chilled.

Where is Cline Mourvèdre Rosé made? It is produced by Cline Family Cellars in Contra Costa County, California, from vineyards in the Oakley district cooled by breezes off the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.

What foods pair well with Cline Mourvèdre Rosé? Grilled lamb chops or merguez sausage match the wine's herbal, peppery spice. Watermelon and feta salad echoes its melon fruit. Roasted red pepper hummus complements the earthy Mourvèdre character. Seared ahi tuna with citrus ponzu plays off the wine's orange zest notes. Soft, tangy goat cheese bridges the wine's fruit and acidity.

What sizes does Cline Mourvèdre Rosé come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Cline Mourvèdre Rosé worth the price? Positioned as a value-tier rosé, it delivers old-vine complexity and a distinctive Mourvèdre-based blend that punches well above typical entry-level California rosés — a strong buy for the category.

Why Cline Mourvèdre Rosé?

Century-old vines are extraordinarily rare in California, and even rarer as the source for rosé. These ancient Mourvèdre plantings in Contra Costa County yield tiny crops with natural concentration, giving the finished wine a depth and earthiness that mass-produced rosés simply cannot replicate. The 92-point score from Tasting Panel and Gold medal at Experience Rosé validate what the glass confirms: this is a rosé with genuine character rooted in one of California's most historic vineyard sites. For anyone looking beyond pale, anonymous pink wines, this expression stands apart as a rosé with real provenance.