Community Tasting Note

• DrewGoin Likes this wine:

  February 14, 2018 - The temptation of savoring a CoCo Mourvedre (er, Mataro) from legendary Zinfandel master Joel Peterson undermined my intentions of holding off the popping of the Once & Future "Oakley Road" Mataro. Yes, the grapes came from the Del Barba Vineyard but, as there appear to be more than one "Del Barba" property in Oakley, I appreciate the clarification this wine's moniker provides.
  
  I opened the bottle and poured a glass out 24 hours before tasting, hoping to allow the wine sufficient time to show its best. Even so, I must preface my tasting impression with the advice of giving the "Oakley Road" Mataro a few more years before tasting. This is a very well-made red wine, surpassing most Contra Costa bottlings I have enjoyed in the past.
  
  The Once & Future Mataro teeters between medium- and full-bodied. The nose is slightly reticent at the moment, although I smell dark berries, plum, and a little oak. The wine is mouth-filling. Some of the flavors remain unresolved at this point. I taste dark, rich raspberries, blackberries, and black cherries, as well as some of the oak notes present in the nose. The acidity is just enough to maintain structure while, for the most part, this is a seamless bottle of wine. I applaud the winemaker for this balancing act. The alcohol, though slightly detectable, is in no way intrusive. The distinctive flavors of a Contra Costa Mourvedre last for a long time after each sip.
  
  Once & Future's "Oakley Road" Mataro is a young 20-months since its bottling. It would not be a unforgivable to open one now, but I suggest it be paired with a grilled ribeye steak or a dry-rubbed rack of pork ribs. Better yet, allow this top-notch old-vine red to age a few more years. I firmly believe further cellaring will benefit the unfolding of this rare Mataro's components.

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