VdF Rouge, "Les Picasses", Laurent Lebled - 2014

Wine makes a great gift but the choice can be daunting when the recipient is really into wine. We’re often asked for recommendations with an apologetically vague idea of the recipient's wine tastes, and that’s ok! One that gives me pause is a request for a higher-end natural wine. This is now my go-to for this request. Natural wine isn’t cheap to make, but there’s not much reason for it to be that expensive: the cost of new oak barrels, expensive winery equipment, extensive cellaring, etc. Laurent Lebled isn’t the kind of cult producer whose name alone drives the price way up. Instead, the quality of the grapes distinguish this cuvee: Cab Franc from old vines at Chinon’s storied “Les Picasses” vineyard, still vinified in a resolutely natural style (eg fermentation and elevage all in fiberglass!).