Half Dozen Red

RED:

Esperanza, Domaine Carterole 2022 (Roussillon, France) $26

Mostly Syrah with some Carignan from old vines farmed naturally on the rugged hills overlooking the Mediterranean just north of the Spanish border in Collioure. Medium bodied with expressive dark fruit and a little wildness. 

La Decrue, Phillip Chevarin 2022 (Loire Valley, France) $22

Made from Gamay, as well as its darker-fleshed cousin Gamay Teinturier from organic vineyards between Anjou and Muscadet. After a manual harvest, the grapes are direct pressed into fiberglass and fermented with wild yeasts. Bottled unfined, unfiltered with no SO2. Juicy and delicate, with a nice balance of acidity, ripe red fruits and a mineral, salty edge.

Giandon Rosso, Il Farneto 2022 (Emilia Romagna, Italy) $17

Biodynamic blend of Marzemino, Malbo Gentile and Lambrusco grapes like Salamino and Maestri, all hand harvested, fermented with native yeast and made in steel. Medium bodied with wild berries, mossy forest floor, and a lean, bright finish.

Rosso Piceno, De Angelis 2022 (Marche, Italy) $15

Think of Rosso Piceno as Chianti's fun cousin from the country. 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese from southern Marche near the border of Abruzzo. Perfectly medium bodied with notes of dark cherry, black olive and crushed rocks with a lipsmacking finish. Organic, low sulfur.

Graciano, Vina Zorzal 2022 (Navarra, Spain) $18

Old vine Graciano from organic vineyards in Navarra, north of Rioja. Medium-full bodied, but still juicy and tart with dark berries and licoricey spice. This is a longtime shop favorite and total crowd pleaser.

Batussa Negre, Oscar Navas 2023 (Catalyuna, Spain) $17

Mostly Trepat with a splash of Macabeo from the mountains of Conca de Barbera, west of Barcelona. Think shrubby red fruits with a fresh and exciting quality about it. Grapes are hand harvested, with carbonic maceration in stainless steel tank. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and a little bit of SO2..