2022 Hanson Vineyards "Rustic Red"

Hanson is a very small-scale winery in the middle of Oregon's Cascade Foothills. Like many in the area, they work with pinot noir, chardonnay, and a smattering of varieties typically associated with Alsace in northeastern France. Hanson also has small plantings of a few lesser-known cold-hearty red varieties, two of which are featured in their "Rustic Red" alongside roughly a half portion of pinot noir. The crosses were created just before WWI in the town of Colmar in Alsace. Leon Millot is one we've encountered before in the form of a Finger Lakes pet nat, while Maréchal Foch, named after a celebrated general in the French Army of WWI, is a new one to us. Both are planted in small amounts all over Canada, with small amounts in the northern US. You'll probably recognize some pinot noir aromatics in the blend, but the structure is denser, and the feel is a little more... well rustic, in a good way! Try it with burgers or barbecue.