Wine to go NMT
Bodegas Valdespino, Vina Macharnudo Alto Blanco (Palomino Fino) Cadiz, Spain -$36 Valdespino is one of the most famous sherry producers in the world, steeped in history and rooted in tradition. These Sherry underdogs, show us a beefed up blanco by selecting palomino grapes from their oldest vineyard and aging it like sherry (under Flor) for 6 months! Think of it as sherry when it’s an infant prodigy. Though not of age you can still see it’s potential.
Tiberio, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (Cerasuolo) Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy 2019 -$38 A wine from the newest DOC sub-region to Abruzzo. Created in October 2010, the title covers the cherry-red, brightly flavored wines formerly labeled as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo. Ofcourse this region produces usually fuller bodied richer red wines but this is a a much lighter style that gets its own designation. To achieve the lighter, vibrant style which sets Cerasuolo wines apart from their heftier counterparts, a particular reduced contact time between the fermenting juice and the red grape skins resulting in the attractive cherry-like color which is behind the name Cerasuolo (meaning ‘cherry’ in Italian). Lovely bright bing cherry, with hints of hibiscus, and an herbaceous basil-like complexity. Structurally there is a bright balance that lingers.
John Almansa, Zou Maï (Cinsault, Grenache) Languedoc Roussillon, France 2019 -$40 John Almansa is a new young winemaker, first vintage 2015, who decided to make wine to complement his other farming of sheep, honey and olive oil. His vineyards were planted 35 years ago in the Gard region of the Languedoc. 90% Cinsault and 10% Grenache from 35-year-old vines, plated on clay, limestone and some gravel. “Zou Mai” translates to ‘Come on!’ A natural wine drinker’s go biodynamic go to, fair labor, no filtration and no SO2 at bottling. Unquestionably gulpable, super light in color, with ample juicy red fruit, acidity, and a touch of rainbow peppercorn spice.