Summery Reds

A wine of tremendous delicacy and brightness, the Montgilet Gamay opens with notes of underripe strawberry, stewed plums, and a touch of violet, moving to a palate that expresses the same fruit, barely-there tannins, and a soft finish.

A great red aperitif, the Montgilet will do very well beside earthy vegetables like beets with goat cheese, or butternut squash with ricotta, or even raw seafood preparations like tuna tartare.

Grolleau is one of those grapes unlike any other in the world of wine; earthen, tart-fruited, and refreshing, it's achieved worthy cult status of true Loire lovers. This expression from Compagnons du Schist opens with notes of ripe bing cherry and dusty, dried clay, moving to a palate with tart cherry fruit, rustic tannins, and a long, refreshing finish.

A great red aperitif, the Cuiellette des Oiseaux is a versatile pairing partner that will match everything from roasted mushrooms tacos with tomatillo salsa, a venison loin with a cherry reduction, or something as simple as a burger off the grill.

A wild berry bush of a wine, the Unchained Rot opens with notes of black raspberry, sweet cherry, and just a hint of wood smoke before moving to a palate with lush, full fruit, light brambly tannin, and streaks of mineral complexity.

Martin Obenaus is himself a great hunter, and this wine will be right at home beside wild game like roasted pheasant or a wild boar ragù, but also meatier salads like a lyonnaise, or just by itself as a richer aperitif.