2024 La Boutanche Cinsault (1L)

Bright aromas of red plum, cranberry, and dried roses lead to a light, juicy palate with notes of fresh strawberry and a subtle peppery snap. Tannins are nearly imperceptible, and the acidity is lively and clean, making this an easy, unguarded red that disappears quickly at the table. Serve with a slight chill.

Martin Texier sources his Cinsault from the oldest vines in St-Julien-en-St-Alban, planted in the 1950s, grown on limestone and marl soils. About half the grapes are destemmed before a six-day maceration, then pressed into concrete tank for fermentation and aging with no sulfur added at any point. The wine is bottled in a one-liter format under the La Boutanche label, a project dedicated to delivering serious natural wine at an everyday price.

Martin Texier farms five hectares in and around St-Julien-en-St-Alban, a commune tucked between the Northern and Southern Rhône in the Ardèche, where the soils shift between clay, limestone, gneiss, schist, and granite. Martin began making wine in 2014, following stints studying economics and working as a DJ in New York City, before returning to follow in the footsteps of his father, the renowned Éric Texier.