2017 Les Tetes Bordeaux Supérior Merlot

Region: Bordeaux < France

Grapes: Merlot

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: organic grapes and yeast, hand-picked, spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks, no fining, lightly filtered (vegan), minimal So2 at bottling only; 12.5% ABV

Winemakers: Nicolas Grobois, Philippe Messier, Baptiste & Vivien

Les Tetes is a project from a group of buddies who are each accomplished winemakers in their own right, but here collaborate on some natural red, white and bubbles, always from organic grapes and fermented on native yeasts with nothing but minimal So2 added. The home base of 'Les Tetes' is the Loire Valley, but they clearly have a great source in Bordeaux for Merlot grapes. Because this groovy bottle is one of the first straight-up Merlots that we actually want to drink. The flavor profile is classic -- violets, black cherry, blackberries, spice and minerality, but there is an earthy vitality that both grounds and lifts this wine-- like doing yoga on a mat of tobacco leaves and fermented forest berries.  So, if you are feeling like a trip to France this summer but those pesky travel restrictions are getting in the way, drink this with a classic Bordeaux dish like duck confit you'lll be transported to the Right Bank instantly.