Las Jaras
Rosé 2019
Wine Info
Region: Mendocino, California
Grapes: Carignane 65%, Zinfandel 35%
ABV: 12.8%
Winemaker: Joel Burt
Viticulture: Organic, dry farmed old-vine Carignan and Zinfandel
Winemaking: Direct press rosé, minimal skin contact
“Luscious fruit character and snappy finish”
Las Jaras is making some of the coolest, most intriguing wines in California right now. A project started by Eric Wareheim (of Tim & Eric’s Awesome Show fame) and winemaker Joel Burt, these wines are focused on vineyard health, drinkability, and low-intervention winemaking practices.
As of May 2020, it’s rosé season. We are all going to drink cheap, bulk rosé at some point this year. It’s unavoidable. But what I hope you take away from this wine is that decisions like organic viticulture and meticulous production matter. Anyone growing chemically pumped-up bulk wine grapes can throw some white and red together, slap a pretty label on it, and put it on the shelf for $9. Unfortunately, to get it to that price, a lot of shortcuts have to be taken. We want to highlight the people doing this winemaking thing right, and Las Jaras is hitting it out of the park.
This rosé caught my eye immediately with a pretty label, but then held my attention with a luscious fruit character and snappy finish. This one’s all about red apple, strawberry and peach, and a palate of wet stone and raspberry leaf. It wants to be drank. So drink it. Wash it down. Use it to wash down other things.
suggested pairings.
in partnership with @NotWithoutSalt
The extremely talented and artistic chef Ashley Rodriguez has worked with us to select some of her recipes to go with each wine in the May box. If you haven’t checked her recipes and cooking out, you’re missing out. If you’re getting a box this month, there’s a recipe booklet from Ashley and at least one recipe for each wine, so check it out!
Le Grand Aïoli
This is a feast with moveable parts. Basically, make aïoli and serve it with vegetables. But there’s plenty of nuance and style in the way you do it. Check out the summer version in your booklet, or the wintry version here.
Steamed Mussels
I love cooking mussels in beer, and enjoying the garlicky liquid goodness to dip grilled bread into. Rosé does particularly well with garlic-driven dishes—it helps mute the tang.
“Runaway w/Orchestra” - half•alive
Lifted, hopeful, quirky, self-deprecating. That’s what this song is, and this wine felt like it needed something sweet but not too serious.
Learn with the Circle
Join us on Youtube as we discuss the nuances of this wine and all the fun things that make it unique.
- Jackson