2023 Laberinto - Pinot Noir Cenizas (750ml)

100% Melon de Bourgogne. Classic Muscadet on granite. The core of the "La Pépie" Sur Lie bottling is the 10-hectare heart of the Pépière estate, which is part of the Clisson cru in the tiny commune of Pépière near the winery; there is also a portion of purchased fruit from a nearby organic farmer friend in the mix. Pépière's farming is certified-biodynamic and the harvest by hand. The bunches are direct-pressed and the juice settled for 12 hours. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks with natural yeasts; the wine is aged on its lees for 6-8 months in large, underground, glass-lined cement tanks. It is bottled without filtration. 

-Importer notes

Tannat is arguably the signature grape of Uruguay, but I've been pretty impressed by the Albariño there too. FAAA! shows all the crisp, briny hallmarks of Albariño from Galicia, but a bit richer pear and melon fruit on the palate. It's not easy to find good examples of the grape under $20, so this is really a great deal for a super-flexible food-friendly white. This will be a real crowd-pleaser either as a walk-around or with dinner. - John Fitter | Addy Bassin's

FAAA! Albariño is made by third generation winemaker Santiago Deicas in the Juanico subregion of Canelones, Uruguay. The Deicas Family moved to South America from the Alpine town of Bormio, Italy and founded their winery in 1978. They first started planting Albariño in 2009 and now have approximately 12 acres of Albariño under vine. Juanico is a coastal region that benefits from a temperate climate and well drained soils that allow for a slow ripening period which enables the fruit to develop a natural acidity and salinity. - Importer notes (Brazos)