November 2024 - Red Club

Blatina, Vranac

Bright red fruits, light on the palate, with subtle tannins and a refined, elegant finish.

Vintage:

• 2018

ABV:

• 12.3%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Mostar , Bosnia and Herzegovina

Vino Brkić, founded by Pasko Brkić in the late 1970s, is a family winery located in the Čitluk wine district, south of Mostar. Pasko planted vineyards at 800-1,300 feet above sea level and built a modern cellar. His son, Josip, took over after Pasko’s passing and focused on native varietals like Žilavka and Blatina. Inspired by organic practices after attending an Organic Wine Expo in Italy, Josip embraced biodynamics in the early 2000s. The winery uses minimal intervention, employing gravity, gentle pressing, native yeasts, and ageing in local Bosnian oak barrels. Josip’s approach results in wines that reflect the purity and balance of the land.

Cinsault, Syrah

Bright blueberry, pepper, and garrigue, with a juicy, rounded mouthfeel and a touch of lively acidity.

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 13%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Funky

Style:

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Alban is as bold and unfiltered as the wines he creates, with each bottle reflecting his vibrant personality and passion for natural winemaking. His wines are wild and expressive, surprising yet beautiful, capturing a raw, emotional energy that sets them apart. Driven by a spirit that defies convention, Alban approaches winemaking with a rebellious twist, favoring organic, hands-off methods that allow each wine to embody the land and his unique vision. His wines are pure reflections of both nature and his creative philosophy—unrestrained, lively, and entirely unforgettable.

Pinot Noir

Floral and slightly vegetal aromas, with a velvety texture and bright, juicy finish of red fruit and subtle acidity.

Vintage:

• 2022

ABV:

• 12.2%

Funky Scale:

Mostly Classic

Style:

Region: Burgundy, France

Founded in 2022 by Jean-Paul Pando, Domaine La Mutine is a standout winery in Burgundy’s Vézelay appellation, the region’s newest AOC. With a background in Bordeaux and Provence, Jean-Paul practices hands-on, pesticide-free viticulture, allowing the land to speak through each wine. Using indigenous yeasts, minimal sulfur, and no filtration, Domaine La Mutine preserves the unique terroir. Their Pinot Noir reflects Burgundy’s depth, while the Vézelay “Les Champs Cadet” Chardonnay impresses with elegance. The rare Melon de Bourgogne—grown on just 7 acres—offers refreshing acidity and tension, making Domaine La Mutine a truly exceptional find.

Garnacha

Fresh and bright with red fruit, floral aromas, and a mineral backbone. Elegant, with a balance of ripeness and acidity.

Vintage:

• 2023

ABV:

• 12.5%

Funky Scale:

Classic

Style:

Region: Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Juan Antonio Ponce began his Bodegas Ponce in 2005, at the age of 23. He works biodynamically in the vineyard, and in the winery he takes a natural approach, using low levels of sulfur dioxide. . The winemaking process begins with hand harvesting. The bunches of grapes are then chilled to 8 degrees C and fermented whole-bunch, with the stems, in a type of fermentation known as "remango", which was once popular in Rioja. Juan Antonio Ponce worked as the right-hand man to Telmo Rodriguez at Cia de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez for 5 years. During this time he was in charge of winemaking, vineyard management, etc. His father, who owned some land in Manchuela, decided to start this project with him. - T Edwards