Reviews & Ratings
2022 Olivia Brion Mourvedre or Mataro "La Vie d'Espionnage"
Winery: Olivia Brion
Vintage: 2022
Wine Name/Vineyard: "La Vie d'Espionnage"
Wine Category: Mourvedre or Mataro
Grape blend: 100% Mourvedre
Bottle size: 750 ml
Region: Amador County
State or country: CA
Price: $40
Cases produced: 75
KWG Score: 94 (based on 1 review)
Ken's Wine Rating: Excellent (94)
Review date: September 8, 2026
Wine Review: This translucent and medium garnet colored Mourvedre from Olivia Brion is Excellent! It opens with a plum and black cherry bouquet with hints of violet and milk chocolate. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, smooth, silky, bright, and fresh. The flavor profile is a red plum and cinnamon blend with notes of red cherry and oolong tea. We also detected hints of dried strawberry and a touch of clove. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity, and its quiet medium tannins drift away nicely. We would pair this impressive Mourvedre with grilled hanger steak. Enjoy - KWGTP
Winemaker Notes: This is bar none my favorite block at Shake Ridge Ranch in Amador. The Mourvedre is perched on a steep hillside looking over all the alpine views. The wine from this site is always surprising in nature given the warmer climate (most of the offerings taste old world, which is counterintuitive). And this wine is particularly special as it's my first 100% Mourvedre. The flavors of this wine start with the appetizer course of shitake mushroom. You feel your way through the savory mid-palate that begs for some rosemary herb-crusted beef to greet it, then you finish with a zing of raspberry coulis as a grand farewell. Enjoy this wine that I think of as the essence of Fall itself.
