Like Pearls on a String '22

Anders Frederik Steen and Anne Bruun Blauert farm a patchwork of small parcels in the Ardèche with radical minimalism — no inputs, no additions, no removals — and Like Pearls on a String is one of the most compelling expressions of that philosophy. A co-fermented field blend of Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Petit Sirah, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc, it's the kind of wine that only makes sense in the context of old mixed-variety vineyards, where red and white grapes grow side by side and are harvested and fermented together as they always were.

The result is a wine of genuine complexity and intrigue — the Grenache brings red fruit and warmth, the Syrah adds structure and spice, the Petit Sirah contributes depth and grip, and the white varieties (Grenache Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc) lift the whole with freshness and aromatic energy. This is a wine with real presence, but the natural acidity and the diversity of the blend keep it alive and interesting. Serve cool.