2022 Parity Mourvèdre
Featured Wine: Hawks Hill Ranch - 2022 Parity Mourvèdre
Elevation, Expression, & Elegance
Some wines speak softly. And then there are wines like the 2022 Parity Mourvèdre from Hawks Hill Ranch—a wine that commands attention not through volume, but through clarity, balance, and a voice wholly its own.
In the heart of Paso Robles’ Adelaida District, where limestone cliffs meet sun-drenched slopes, Hawks Hill Ranch crafts wines that resonate with the land’s raw energy. The 2022 Parity Mourvèdre isn’t just a bottle—it’s a symphony of terroir, varietal, and vision. Bold yet refined, rustic yet elegant, this wine doesn’t whisper; it sings with clarity and conviction, inviting you to savor the soul of a place and a grape rarely given the solo it deserves.
2022 Parity Mourvèdre: Elegance Meets Depth
Some wines murmur. Others, like the 2022 Parity Mourvèdre from Hawks Hill Ranch, speak with a commanding yet graceful voice—capturing the essence of Paso Robles’ rugged Adelaida District in every sip.
A Varietal with Character: Mourvèdre in Paso Robles
Mourvèdre may be a supporting actor in many Rhône-style blends, but here at Hawks Hill Ranch, it takes center stage. Known for its deep color, earthy spice, and age-worthy structure, Mourvèdre flourishes in the sun-soaked, elevated terrain of the Adelaida District, where cool evenings and diurnal swings help preserve acidity and balance.
The 2022 vintage was particularly expressive. The growing season brought optimal hang time and ripening conditions, resulting in fruit with exceptional aromatic integrity and phenolic ripeness. The outcome? A Mourvèdre that feels both grounded and lifted—elegantly rustic yet finely tuned.
Tasting Notes: Depth, Drive, and Definition
Appearance: Medium verging on deep ruby—clean and vibrant in the glass, with just enough transparency to showcase its youth.
Aromatics: The nose opens with a swirl of black cherry, earthy-sweet hay, and a subtle note of almond kirsch—a combination that evokes both ripeness and complexity. There’s a wild herbaceous undertone, echoing the native chaparral that borders the estate.
Palate: Concentrated, flavorful, and structured. The wine’s mouth-watering acidity and ripe tannins give it serious backbone. Layers of dark fruit unfold into a spice-laced finish, offering notes of clove, crushed stone, and dry cedar.
Alcohol: 14.5% – perfectly integrated, providing warmth without overshadowing the fruit or freshness.
Score: 17.5/20
Reviewer: Samantha Cole-Johnson
Date Tasted: March 25, 2025
Published: May 8, 2025
Source: https://www.jancisrobinson.com/producers/hawks-hill-ranch
Medium verging on deep ruby. Black cherry, earthy-sweet hay and an almond kirsch note. Concentrated and flavourful with mouth-watering acidity, ripe tannin, and a spice-laced finish.
A Distinct Paso Robles Original from the Adelaida District
Crafted from fruit grown on the rugged western slopes of Paso Robles' Adelaida District, this single-varietal Mourvèdre captures the soul of a region where altitude, sunlight, and limestone-rich soils converge to produce wines of uncommon depth. With a score of 17.5 from acclaimed reviewer Samantha Cole-Johnson, Parity is more than a bottle—it’s a benchmark for what Mourvèdre can be in California.
Tasting Profile: A Study in Depth and Balance
Appearance: Medium to deep ruby, radiant with youthful clarity.
Aromatics: An inviting bouquet of black cherry, almond kirsch, and sweet hay, underpinned by wild herbs and the earthy whisper of Paso’s native chaparral.
Palate: Juicy yet structured, with mouthwatering acidity and ripe, fine-grained tannins. Dark fruit unfurls into a spice-driven finish, revealing clove, crushed stone, and dry cedar.
Alcohol: 14.3%, seamlessly woven into the wine’s vibrant fruit and freshness.
“This inaugural 100% Mourvèdre bursts with juicy dark blue and black fruits, laced with cherry compote and wild blueberry. A dusty minerality and fine tannins frame a savory finish, evoking seared meat and deglazed fond. Pair it with our estate’s rack of lamb for a transcendent experience.” – Hawks Hill Ranch
The Adelaida District: Terroir That Speaks Volumes
Nestled on Paso Robles’ western edge, the Adelaida District AVA is a viticultural haven where elevations of 1,500 to 2,200 feet and ancient calcareous shale soils create wines of profound minerality and structure. Cool evening breezes and dramatic diurnal shifts preserve acidity, while abundant sunlight fosters deep, concentrated flavors. At Hawks Hill Ranch, dry-farmed Mourvèdre vines thrive in this rugged terrain, yielding low quantities of intensely characterful fruit.
Mourvèdre’s Moment - 2022 Vintage
Mourvèdre shines as a soloist in the 2022 Parity. Known for its inky color, earthy spice, and robust structure, this varietal finds its ideal expression in Paso Robles’ warm days and cool nights. The 2022 vintage, blessed with optimal hang time and phenolic ripeness, delivers a Mourvèdre that’s both powerful and poised—a testament to the grape’s potential when given center stage.
Paso Robles Regional Facts
Hawks Hill Ranch: A boutique, family-owned estate in the Adelaida District, Hawks Hill Ranch is dedicated to sustainable viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking, letting the vineyard’s unique terroir shine.
Paso Robles: This Central Coast region boasts 11 distinct AVAs, with Adelaida District renowned for its high-elevation, limestone-rich soils. Paso Robles produces over 40 grape varieties, with Rhône varietals like Mourvèdre thriving particularly well.
Mourvèdre Origins: Native to Spain (where it’s called Monastrell), Mourvèdre is a key player in France’s Rhône Valley and has found a second home in California, especially in Paso Robles.
Low Yield, High Impact: With only 71 cases produced, the 2022 Parity Mourvèdre is a rare gem, crafted from hand-harvested, low-yield vines to maximize flavor concentration.
Sustainability: Hawks Hill Ranch employs dry-farming techniques, reducing water use and enhancing the vines’ connection to the terroir.
A Wine Collector’s Cornerstone
The 2022 Parity Mourvèdre is a bold declaration of what Paso Robles and Mourvèdre can achieve together. For Rhône enthusiasts, it’s a must-have addition to the cellar. For newcomers, it’s a captivating introduction to a varietal that deserves the spotlight. Whether enjoyed now or aged for a decade, this wine marries elegance with earthiness in a way that lingers long after the last sip.
Terroir-Driven Precision: The Adelaida Advantage
The Adelaida District AVA is one of the crown jewels of Paso Robles. Situated on the western edge of the region, its elevations between 1,500 and 2,200 feet create a natural amphitheater of sunlight and fog moderation. The soils are ancient, fragmented calcareous shales and limestone, giving wines mineral structure and long, graceful finishes.
At Hawks Hill Ranch, Mourvèdre vines are dry-farmed and hand-harvested, growing under conditions that prioritize low yields and high character. The estate's commitment to sustainable viticulture and minimal-intervention winemaking ensures the vineyard—not the winery—tells the story.
Cellaring & Food Pairing: Built to Last
The 2022 Parity Mourvèdre is poised for both immediate pleasure and long-term reward. Its taut acidity and structured tannins suggest a drinking window from 2025 to 2040, with the promise of evolving secondary notes like leather, tobacco, and dried herbs over time.
Perfect Pairings:
Rosemary lamb chops
Wild mushroom risotto
Moroccan-spiced lentils
Aged manchego or tomme-style cheeses
A Statement Vintage for the Collector & Connoisseur
The 2022 vintage of Parity Mourvèdre is more than a wine—it’s a flag planted in the soils of Paso Robles, declaring what’s possible when site, varietal, and craftsmanship align. For enthusiasts of Rhône reds, this is a must-collect bottling. For those who haven’t yet discovered Mourvèdre as a soloist, there may be no better introduction.
Whether cellared for a decade or poured for an intimate dinner, Parity proves one thing: elegance and earthiness can—and should—coexist.
Explore Paso At Hawks Hill Ranch
What’s Happening Now? Escape to Paso!
Discover more about our varietal expressions, visit the ranch, or join our wine club to secure future releases of this exceptional Mourvèdre and other estate wines: Hawks Hill Ranch.
“This inaugural 100% Mourvèdre presents a juicy entry with notes of dark blue and black fruits complemented by a dusty minerality. Cherry compote intertwines with wild blueberry flavors, while fine tannins and a savory seared meat component add complexity to the finish. Pair with a rack of lamb from our estate for a delightful culinary experience.”