As Natural As It Gets Three Pack

All of these winemakers use natural yeast, intervene as little as possible in the winery, and make wine much like their grandparents did. To drink these wines is both like stepping back in time, and also experiencing a very specific place and time with a truly unique individual.

A bona-fide natural winemaker sporting a mohawk. Andrea Calek fled the army in Prague and moved to France to make wine in the Ardèche region (just west of the southern Rhone Valley) where he kips in a trailer beside his vineyards. The Babiole has a compelling gamey character with black pepper, and a dose of dark, brooding fruit. Complex and fantastic.

Babiole - 2010 - $23.99

Herve Souhaut created this domaine in 1993, 5 hectares of old and ancient vines, between 50 and 100 years old. This syrah is made from 30 year old vines.  Very pronounced nose - violets, a bit of coffee, bacon fat, black cherry and wet stone minerality.  While the aromas are repeated on the palate, vibrant fruit flavors dominate and leads to a soft tannic finish.

Souhaut Syrah - 2009 - $27.99

Olivier Cousin is one of our favorite Loire vignerons, with a gentle disposition and salt n' pepper beard. Cousin's horse, Joker, plows the vineyards. His wines are the epitome of natural. Deep cherry red in the glass with a shimmering amethyst rim. The nose is alive with loads of crushed red and black cherries, backed by deep inflections of pounded limestone and a dusting of savory herbs. Supple minerality and moderate tannins provides the finish with an outstanding, lip-smacking succulence.

Cousin Le Duc Gamay  - 2010 - $22.99