Linne Calodo has only produced the Martyr a few times in its history.  This is a wine that celebrates one of the most important blending grapes we work with: Mourvèdre.  While Grenache, Syrah, and Zinfandel bring fruit and acidity into our wines, Mourvèdre is the sultry, savory undertow. Essential to our balance, but once every few years too full and expressive to be martyred off.

2013

77% Mourvèdre, 15% Syrah, 5% Tannat, 3% Cinsault

Once in a great while, I make this wine. There’s not enough to go around to everyone, so grab it while you can. Garigue scents mingle with cured meats, black cherries and truffle dust. Sweet cherry blossom and blueberries enhance the palate. Lush velvet tannins. Aged in neutral and French oak.   Drink now through 2023. 150 cases produced

2010

77% Mourvèdre, 12% Syrah, 7% Grenache, 4% Tannat

2010 proved to be a stand out year for mourvèdre and it was time to resurrect Martyr, a blend that that was last made in 2005. For years, mourvèdre has played the saint in the cellar, always offering itself to other blends, counterbalancing the light fruity flavors of grenache and the darkness of syrah. A challenging grape to grow, mourvèdre is a tannic varietal with earthy and tobacco characteristics. The 2010 Martyr showcases our ever evolving cellar and this blend is filled with hints of graham cracker crust, blushing cherries and black currant. This blend embodies the future of Linne Calodo with its incredible ageability (cellar through 2025), unique varietal composition and labyrinth of flavors.

2005

68% Mourvèdre, 29% Syrah, 3% Grenache

This wine reflects my own personal appreciation of mourvèdre. As you may have noticed, almost every wine we produce has some portion of mourvèdre (aka mataro). This grape intrigues me with both the way it grows and the flavor profile it produces. The skin is thick and crunchy, the pulp is sweet, earthy and dense, and the seed is large and tannic. All of these things combine to make a wine that is mildly floral, saturated in roasted meat flavors and leaves a finish that can be tasted for minutes to come. 120 cases produced.