2021 Craggy Range - Te Kahu Red Hawke's Bay (750ml)

Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Spirits of 2019 Born from centuries of mezcalero craft and enlightened by the methodical pursuit of perfection, Montelobos Espadin is an unaged joven mezcal, crafted from meticulously cultivated, 100% sustainably grown, organic agave Espadin. An underground pit is filled with volcanic stone which is heated using two different woods which roasts the agave for five days. It is milled under the weight of a traditional single Cantera stone Tahona, and then wild fermented in open-air pine vats for up to seven days. Following the artisanal method with firewood heating copper stills, the mezcal is small batch twice distilled to achieve a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle smoke. This artisinally produced joven mezcal is strikingly balanced and complex, with a bold integration between all the notes that mezcal has to offer. Montelobos Espadin is an experience unto itself.

From some great terroir right near Gigondas, it’s fun to “argue” every year which wine we prefer between this and the Sablet! May as well get both….

This selection of the best tanks of Sablet is produced only in select vintages. Very terroir-driven, structured and earthy. The kind of wine that could only come from the Southern Rhone!