Libertine 'You Are Still Alive' Pét Nat 2022

The vibe: Sparkling Tempranillo rosé from the Willamette Valley?? This is a fun and slightly funky, carefree interpretation of Spain’s iconic red grape. It kind of breaks your brain with its spice and lingering cherry raspberry finish reminding you that, yes this is still Tempranillo, just in chuggable form! A reference to the 2020 pandemic, the first year the wine was released, You Are Still Alive is what this wine serves to remind us and we are thankful for it! 

The winemaker: Winemaker Alex Nealy owned a very prestigious wine and cheese shop when one day while riding on a bus he realized that he always reeked of pungent cheese. He had a decision to make and we all benefit that he’s decided to focus on wine! Alex is part of the new wave of natural, non interventionist winemakers in the Willamette Valley whose passion is experimenting and expanding the possibility of new varietals in Oregon.

The geeky details: The wine is 100% Tempranillo - a long way from its home in Rioja! From grapes grown at the prestigious Dion Vineyard in the Chehalam Mountain AVA. The grapes are fermented with native vineyard yeasts and aged in neutral oak barrels with no additives except a smidge of sulfite as a preservative. Unfiltered and unfined.

Serve: With a chill. 

Food pairing: Throw out all your classic sparkling rosé pairings and treat this like a light spicy red. Personally, we’d go with chorizo, paella or smoky barbecue! 

Album pairing: Tar Blanche - Granada School of Motion