2016 Bichi La Santa

Grapes: Rosa del Peru (Moscatel Negro)
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming, dry-farmed, 100 year-old own-rooted vines on sandy, granitic soil at 2400 foot elevation, fermented in 450L concrete ‘tinajas’ (amphora), then ½ aged in stainless steel and ½ in old barrel, no added SO2; 378 cases; 12.5% ABV
Winemaker: Jair Téllez and Luis-Antoine Luyt

Ok, so we love Jair Téllez and the Bichi situation, so why stop at just one of his wines? Meet La Santa, one of Jair’s single vineyard, super old vine, amphora-aged, light, still reds. We first tried it at his restaurant in the trendy Juarez neighborhood of Mexico City, and while we can’t offer the perfect corn and eggplant tamale and mushroom soup that accompanied it, we’re stoked to bring you the viño. Sort of a mauve color, like my grandmother’s carpet, but so energetic and poppy on the palate, it’s the wine you wish would be at the bar on a Saturday night, because it’s light and fun, and you could drink it all night long without getting bored. Tastes like cold-pressed sour raspberries, dusty roses and Sour Patch kids. Sounds weird but trust us, it is unbelievably delicious.