Jolie-Laide Trousseau Noir 25

Pretty-ugly, and entirely beautiful. Jolie-Laide — French slang for unconventional beauty — is Scott Schultz’s tiny one-man label out of Sebastopol, born after running the wine program at Thomas Keller’s Bouchon and years as Pax Mahle’s right hand. His calling card is this Trousseau Noir: the pale, perfumed Jura grape leading a blend of California obscurities — peppery Cabernet Pfeffer, juicy Gamay, a thread of Poulsard — from a handful of organic growers across Northern California. The winemaking is pure old-world instinct: whole clusters, foot-crushed, native yeasts, neutral oak. The glass is delicate and airy — crushed flowers, strawberry, blood orange, pomegranate, dried herbs, mint, and exotic spice over featherweight tannins — and Antonio Galloni has scored recent vintages 94 points, remarkable for a wine this gentle. Serve it with a light chill: roast chicken, mushroom risotto, grilled trout, or a long conversation.

Wine Details:

Grapes: Trousseau Noir–led blend with Cabernet Pfeffer, Gamay & Poulsard — varies slightly by vintage, see label

ABV: Approx. 12.5%

Region: Northern California — small organic grower sites

Farming / Practices: Organically farmed fruit; whole-cluster, foot-crushed, native yeast fermentation; neutral oak; low intervention

Producer: Jolie-Laide Wines — Scott Schultz, Sebastopol; ~2,400 cases total

Bottle Size: 750ml