Tempranillo, "Robot Cochon", Julie Benau - 2020

The Benau family bought their property, a 16th century fortified farmhouse in the south of France, in 1980. At first they sold their grapes, all planted to Picpoul, to the local co-op. In 1999, their daughter Julie returned home and they began bottling some of the wine on their own and at her insistence they are aiming for only the highest quality. Ummm, but why Tempranillo, a Spanish grape, in this coastal French region? Not sure. She just found some random Tempranillo vines growing on her family’s property and ran with it. A textually grippy wine balanced by the fresh and crunchy, red fruit character and lower alcohol levels. Red cherry, cranberry, red plum, tomato leaf, cinnamon, blood orange peel and black tea are just a few of the notes to pick up in this stellar Tempranillo. A perfect food wine, best with Chinese BBQ Pork.