Southold Farm & Cellars "Basics of Life" Red Blend 2021

"Basics of Life" punches way above its pricing, but in an effort to bring pleasure and joy, the winemakers wanted to give you something that didn't take too much thought to open, pour and drink. It's juicy, it's a bit saucy, it reminisces of Cru Beaujolais, but it is not Gamay, it's not oaky or sweet. Just drink it already!

Every variety in this blend of 48% Petite Sirah, 33% Grenache, 10% Alicanté Bouschet and 9% Aglianico was fermented in stainless steel with variation in aging vessels. The Petite Syrah and Grenache were aged in concrete tanks, Alicanté Bouschet in a new French oak puncheon, and Aglianico in neutral French oak barrels. This wine was fermented by native yeast and bacteria and is unfined and unfiltered. 600 cases produced.

Southold was started in Long Island, New York by Regan and Carey Meador, but moved to Fredericksburg, Texas, in 2017, after running into permitting issues on the East Coast. The winery was known for using Texas grapes to make dynamite wines with catchy names. In 2023, the Meadors had an opportunity to move to France to take over a winery in the Bordeaux region, so while Southold will continue to make wine overseas, no more of their Texas wines will be made. When it's gone, it's gone!