Mourvedre is one of the toughest varieties to grow, but Quivira does a good job with this smooth, polished bottling, which is 100% varietal. It’s a little one-dimensional, but offers a supple texture framing elegant mocha, black cherry, blueberry, anise and sandalwood flavors. Ready now.——S.H.(12/31/2009)—— 86

Mourvedre is an awfully hard variety to get right in California, but Quivera has done an outstanding job. The wine is fully ripe, showing cassis, milk chocolate and pepperspice flavors, and it’s also very soft, making it immediately drinkable. But it’s the refined tannin structure that lifts it up.——S.H.(3/1/2009)—— 89

With some Grenache, this coppery-pink wine is flashy with raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon, vanilla and coffee flavors. It’s very dry, with a good spine of acidity, and will go with a wide variety of appetizers. Nice for a summer cocktail, too.——S.H.(10/1/2004)—— 85

This is a big blush wine, not light and simple like white Zin, but full-bodied and dense. ItOs very flavorful, with the taste of peaches and cherries a dusty, herbal earthiness. The finish is a little cloying, but overall itOs a dry wine. ——S.H.(9/1/2003)—— 85