Leon Circle

Leon Circle September Add-on

2024 Matías Riccitelli ‘Invader’ Chenin Blanc Pet-Nat, Rio Negro, Argentina
An irresistibly delicious sparkling wine – and a cool piece of Argentina’s history.
In the 1950s (and before they landed in Napa), Chandon planted grapes in Argentina for the purpose of making cool climate sparkling wine; but, finding the massive, wild Patagonia region too difficult to farm, the vineyards were abandoned in favor of California. Matías has now purchased this vineyard and rehabilitated old, ungrafted Chenin Blanc vines, fulfilling their sparkling destiny.

100% Chenin Blanc is gently pressed, with an initial fermentation in concrete egg that finishes in bottle and rests on the lees for 8 months.

It’s an expressive pet-nat, with salty, rich apple fruit that perfectly settles into the oncoming sweater weather ;)
2022 Matías Riccitelli ‘Viejos Viñedos’ Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina
A powerful, high thread count Malbec from centenarian vines. The Malbec in our club wines is a lithe, perception-bending take on the grape. But, Matías is also exceptional at making refined versions of the more classic, full-bodied Argentinian Malbec.

This cuvée is from centenarian+ vines (the oldest were planted in 1908), grown at a soaring 1100 meters. Destemmed and fermented with a long, gently extraction in small concrete vats; and aged in French oak for 16 months.

With dark red fruit, dark earth, and dried herb aromatics, it’s a powerful, silky bottle that reminds us of our all-time favorites from Sonoma’s Ridge Vineyards. 
How do you receive your Leon Circle Wine Club?

This month, we’re headed to Argentina’s Mendoza. Despite a location that breathes freshness in the high altitude Andean foothills, Argentinian wine is often a caricature of itself: overextracted, heavy wines with little personality.
Matías Riccitelli – this month's producer focus – makes an impressive range of wines, all in pursuit of preserving the freshness and rich heritage of authentic Argentinian wine. It’s a pensive, hydrating (and, naturally made) lineup.
His 40+ wines are so special, so delicious – we need to offer you two more (member-exclusive!) bottles.
**Note this is a one-time order rather than a recurring subscription and will be available with your September Leon Circle order. Recipients MUST have a core Leon Circle Wine Club membership to add on these selections! 

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