2015 Populis ‘Reversee’ Carignan, Mendocino County

Region: Mendocino < CA 
Grapes: Carignan
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: 70 year-old vineyards that have been dry-farmed and organic since inception (certified organic); Pinole gravelly loam soil; 2/3 whole cluster co-fermented with 1/3 of the grapes direct pressed as rosé juice; aged in big neutral barrels; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added SO2; 330 cases made
Winemaker: Martha Stoumen, Diego Roig, Sam Baron & Shaunt Oungouian

Martha, Diego, Sam, and Shaunt are the Living Wines Collective, an umbrella brand for a few different labels, one of which is Populis, a collective effort between all four winemakers. They work only with small organic vineyards and make wine with as little intervention as possible. No additives and very little, if any, added SO2. Their goal is refreshing: bring delicious, honest wine to the people at a great price so that they may pop more than one bottle at a time! This Carignan is totally out of the box, with 2/3 of the grapes put in the tank as whole cluster, and the remaining 1/3 immediately pressed, producing pink juice that gets co-fermented with the whole clusters. Then it all ages in 60-gallon used French barrels. The resulting juice is light, bright and punchy, with loads of juicy red fruit on the nose and mouth. Plenty of acid on the attack and a nice bite of tannin on the finish keeps this wine taut and extremely drinkable. It would be awesome with pretty much any lighter meat and veg dish, but honestly, this is one I love with a slight chill, straight out of the bottle.