2016 Domaine Julie Benau 'Robot Cochon'

Region: Picpoul de Pinet < Languedoc < France

Grapes: Tempranillo

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming, sand/limestone soil with lots of fossils; semi-carbonic maceration; bottled unfined/unfiltered with zero added SO2; 13% ABV

Winemaker: Julie Benau

Another wine from Julie Benau, a juicy, textural Tempranillo from the Languedoc. Fermentation is semi-carbonic, resulting in a vibrant, fruit-forward red that calls to mind grapey Beaujolais, but from the warmer south.  Ummm, but why Tempranillo, a Spanish grape, in this coastal French region?  Not sure.  She just found some random Tempranillo vines growing on her family’s property and ran with it.  We’re so happy that she did. It’s a totally different beast from its Spanish counterparts, with sweet, herbal black fruit, plums and black olive in an exuberant package.  Drink with Mexican food!