Mourvèdre is a black-skinned, late ripening grape with compact clusters that likely originated in Spain where it is frequently known as Monstrell.  It was likely brought Valencia by the Phoenicians around 500 BC getting its name from Murviedo (which was a town that is present-day Sagunt).  Mourvedre is also called Mataro, a name from the town that is present day Catalonia near Barcelona.  Mourvedre has a long history and is well-travelled.  It is the varietal growing in the oldest surviving vineyard in the world in Fruili, Italy dating back 2500 years.  Mourvedre enjoys a hot climate, with clay soils, indicated that the Southern Alps may have been warmer 2500 years ago.  Mourvedre tends to be highly tannic with high alcohol and gamey, giving wines a strong backbone. Although, earth tones may come across as reductive or farmyard like, making them seem faulty, which mellows with time.  It came to California in the 1860’s where it is often blended with Grenache and Syrah in GSM blends.