$21
PORTUGAL : BAIRRADA
Baga, Touriga Nacional (8%)
MED-BODIED, BLACK CHERRY, RASPBERRY, PLUM, MINERAL, VIOLET, EARTH, USED OAK
Maria Pato (daughter of famous Portuguese winemaker Luis Pato) created the Duckman project in memory of her late grandfather, João (aka the OG Pato; 'pato' = 'duck' in Portuguese). By working exclusively with indigenous varietals and practicing minimal intervention in the cellar, Pato's terroir-driven wines carry a hyper-specific sense of place, and are easily some of the best to come out of Bairrada of late.
Of the ducks, the 'Baaaga Duck' is our current favorite - perfumed and elegant, it has ripe dark fruit, soft tannin, and enough acid to make it a great food wine.
WINEMAKING : Low-intervention / Natural : hand-harvested from 40 year old vines; spontaneous fermentation occurs in plastic lagar and stainless steel; aged for 2 years in old oak barrels (650L); unfined and unfiltered
FARMING : Certified Sustainable
PAIRING : Grilled Branzino with Rosemary
$15
NEW ZEALAND : MARLBOROUGH
Sauvignon Blanc
LIGHT- BODIED, GRAPEFRUIT, GRASSY, NO OAK
FARMING: Organic
$11
USA : CALIFORNIA : PASO ROBLES
Cabernet Sauvignon
DRY, MEDIUM BODIED, DARK FRUIT, SMOOTH, NEUTRAL OAK
FARMING : Sustainable
PAIRING : Crispy Eggplant Burgers
$12
FRANCE : LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON
Chardonnay
MEDIUM BODIED, ROUND, EASY, WHITE FRUIT, NO OAK
$10
ARGENTINA : MENDOZA
Malbec
MEDIUM-BODIED, DARK FRUIT, BAKING SPICE, SUPPLE, SMOOTH, NO OAK
FARMING : Sustainable
PAIRING : Grilled Romaine Hearts with Figs, Pear, and Manchego