2017 Closerie des Moussis 'Virevolte'

Region: Haut Medoc < Bordeaux < France

Grapes: Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified organic and Demeter certified biodynamic farming, 30-150 year old vines on sandy clay soils; whole-bunch fermented in tank, where it sits for a 15-day maceration (way short) then finishes fermentation in 500L neutral barrel to ensure completion of ML; bottled unfined with a light filtration and no added So2; 50 cases total production, 25 in the states

Winemaker: Pascale Chiome and Laurence Alias

A Bordeaux estate that was started from scratch by two women in 2008, one that is both certified organic and biodynamic and makes glou glou wines (that we actually want to drink on Taco Tuesday)? Rare and wonderful! This is not your daddy’s Bordeaux – or Bordeaux producer! Partners in winemaking and life, Pascale and Laurence purchased their property in the Haut Medoc, with tiny parcels spread around the Haut-Medoc and Margaux, including 1 plot that survived phylloxera and is still thriving after over 150 years! Certified organic since 2013 and biodynamic since 2015, the ladies do everything themselves, with the help of two adorable Breton horses. The Virevolte (which translates as “Twirls”) does feel like it dances in the mouth, with fiery, spicy fruit and a velvety texture. And with no added sulfites, no extraction and a short maceration, you get the true taste of Medoc terroir, without the weight or tannins. This is so atypical for a Bordeaux that they didn’t even try for AOC status, going straight to VDF designation. Which totally doesn’t matter, as this wine fresh and pretty wine is meant to be enjoyed now, not put away in the cellar for some special occasion. As we always say, life is too short to drink shitty wine, crack open the good stuff every day!