Jauma Tikka the Cosmic Cat 2022 (750ml) Madiran

Jauma Tikka the Cosmic Cat 2022 (750ml) MadiranVineyard Cellar Stats: Organic, dry farmed vines; Silty Loam with Ironstone soils; two varieties are co fermented and given 40 days of skin contact during carbonic maceration before resting 11 months in neutral barrel; bottled unfined unfiltered with no added SO2 under crown cap; 12% ABV; 500 cases Winemaker: James Erskine Jauma, you had me at the cute label and name (in honor of Tikka, the winery cat), but then you sealed the deal with this divine

Aged 32 months in 100% new French oak

flavor and tannin extraction

red peppers and vanilla

blackberry and black raspberry along with pepper jump from the glass at first exposure

It’s also very versatile with food

The 2024 Cantarranas Verdejo is a pale straw-colored wine that opens with aromas of rustic spices and the faint earthiness typical of classic Rueda whites

but settles down with a few hours of air

goblet and spurred cordon

Rock & Vine Chardonnay is a light straw color in the glass

it's "only" 14% alcohol

More expressive in its youth than previous vintages

While this shows up-front fruit