Nithya, California Cabernet Franc & Côt 2021

Raj Parr is one of the biggest names in American wine. He’s a famous sommelier, educator, and winemaker, running the show at Sandhi, Domaine de la Côte, and most recently, Phelan Farm. What’s different about his new project is his hands-on involvement in every step of the process, especially the farming. Long one of the wine world’s foremost proponents of natural farming, Raj is putting it into practice on his coastal vineyards north of Santa Barbara.

This is a blend you’ll find in the Loire Valley. Equal parts cab franc and côt (malbec), this is a bit darker and spicier than the reds listed above.