2017 Bichi La Flama Roja

Region: Tecate < Baja California < MexicoGrapes: Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Nebbiolo + Petit VerdotVineyard/Cellar Stats: organic farming, dry-farmed, 100 year-old vines, sandy, granitic soil, 2400 foot elevation, fermented in 450L concrete ‘tinajas’ (amphora), then ½ aged in stainless steel and ½ in old barrel, no added SO2; 378 cases; 12.5% ABVWinemaker: Jair Téllez and Luis-Antoine LuytNEW VINTAGE ALERT: Jair Téllez, chef of the progressive Laja Restaurant in Ensenada, Mexico, is the guy behind Tecate-based Bichi, the only known natural winery in Mexico. A few years ago, he left his post as chef at a Top 50 San Pellegrino Restaurant to resurrect old vines in Baja and make delicious, authentically made wine from grapes suited to the climate, with awesome label art (bonus!). In the meantime he’s also opened a casual dining spot in Mexico City with an entirely natural wine list – one of the few in the entire country. Jair’s winemaking partner in crime is Luis-Antoine Luyt, pioneer of n