Le Sommelier Mixed Case: Lighter Reds

Wine Type:
Style of Wine:	Earthy & Spicy
Country of Origin:	Various
Grape Varietal:	Various
Bottle Format:	750mL
Case Size:	12 bottles
$417.12 Per Case ($34.76/btl)

Tasting Notes

Podere Il Carnasciale Ottantadue 2018, DOC Vald'Arno di Sopra Rosso, Toscana, Italy.
Il Carnasciale's 2018 Valdarno di Sopra Sangiovese Ottantadue is an elegant and pure wine that delivers lifted aromas of wild cherry, forest berry, rose hip, bitter almond and savory rosemary essence. Both steel tank and cement are used in winemaking. The purity of the grape is very impressive in this expression from Valdarno di Sopra near Arezzo in eastern Tuscany. This is a wild and largely unexplored corner of the region, and this wine reflects its surroundings in its vivid, almost untamed personality.This is a very unique and special interpretation of Tuscany's leading grape variety.

Blanville Pinot Noir Grande Réserve 2019, IGP Pays d’Oc, Languedoc, France.
The vines are planted in the limestone and basalt (volcanic) soils of Pézenas at 100-150m, on a cool, north-facing single vineyard. Soft plum, black raspberry, light forest, moss, and cocoa powder fill the cushy palate, finishing with light tobacco and smoke. Tannins are nubby fine, and acidity is bright and lively thanks to time solely in stainless. Very good value for a varietally correct, honest French Pinot Noir.

Señorío de P. Peciña Tinto Cosecha 2019, DOCaRioja, Spain.
Bodegas Hermanos Peciña is firmly planted in traditional Rioja, one of perhaps a dozen of producers adhering to the tenets passed down through generations. This includes long aging in mostly neutral American oak, regular open-air racking by hand (called trasiego), and then further aging in bottle often well beyond the specifications required by the DO. Founder Pedro Peciña had over two decades of working in Rioja Alta before opening his own Bodega in 1992. This is a blend of 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, and 2% Garnacha, from Hermanos Pecina's youngest vines, La Veguilla and Valseca, which average 25 years in age. This was native fermented in stainless, where it aged for six months before bottling without fining or filtration. Pouring a bright garnet, this is flush with juicy plums, wild blackberries, and threads of balsamic. Excellent acidity and freshness throughout.

Suertes del Marqués 7 Fuentes 2017, DO Valle de la Oratova, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
100+ year old ungrafted and organic Listan Negro is splashed with 10% Castellana Negra in this singular wine, showcasing Tenerife's volcanic soils and altitude up to 750m. Suertes del Marqués considers this their 'village wine', and an introduction to their range. It's a wonderful first meeting. Careful aging for 9 months in concrete and neutral French oak has well framed this intoxicating lighter red, layered with grapefruit, sapid thorns, aromatic juicy plum, anise, ink, tobacco and a gentle dusting of pink peppercorns that linger on the saline finish. There's a lot of effortless concentration here, with bamboo firm tannins leaving an impression of finesse and grace. Inherently confident, and drinking beautifully now. Allow a wave of youthful reduction to blow off before enjoying.

J.M. Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2018, AOC Chinon, Loire, France.
Jean-Maurice Raffault and Rodolphe Raffault’s family began cultivating vines in Chinon 14 generations ago, when their ancestor, Mathurin Bottreau, bought his first parcel of vines in 1693. Today, Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault owns 50 organically farmed hectares of vines in 7 communes. This cabernet franc is from the Les Picasses lieu dit, atop a plateau overlooking the Vienne, the windiness of the site reflected in the windmill on the label. Soils here are stony limestone and clay. After destemming and a native ferment this moves to barriques for MLF and aging 18 months on fine lees. Super fragrant with black cherry, black raspberry, blackcurrant, anise on a structural, medium+ bodied palate, lined with red liquorice. The wine is pulled across the palate with ample chewy tannins, finishing with a fragrant rosemary tug and liberal mineral salts. Pour alongside roasted pork.

Le Ragnaie Miscellone 2019, IGT Toscana Rosso, Toscana, Italy,
Though Le Ragnaie has only produced this ‘Miscellaneous wine’ in the last few years, blending red and white grapes is certainly part of the traditional Chianti 'recipe'. Miscelone is 60% red grapes (Sangiovese and Canaiolo) and 40% white grapes (Malvasia and Trebbiano), sourced from the same vineyard, coharvested and cofermented in concrete, and then aged for 6 months in concrete. This chillable, non-intervention red opens with a wall of reduction that quickly blows off into red cherry, liquorice, leather, and an ample wash of sea salts. Tannins are sandpaper fine and acidity is nervous to a taut, brisk finish. Charmer; chill and drink now and over short term.

Critical Praise

We’ve put together this case of 12 lighter bodied reds perfectly suited to cooler weather, yet still with freshness and vibrancy.

Estimated time of delivery is 3-10 business days.