Ver Sacrum, Uco Valley (Mendoza, Argentina) 2017

 This 50/50 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne, sourced from vines grown at 3600 feet elevation in Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley, is an unusual and delicious Argentine wine.  Ver Sacrum’s stated goal is to produce wines from Rhône variety grapes that are relatively low in alcohol (13% in this case).  The estate’s grapes are hand harvested, most are foot crushed, and the winery uses no filtration or pump-overs.  Geisha de Jade is one of those wines whose charms may not be fully appreciated with a mere sip or two, but if you savor it slowly and completely (preferably with food) you’ll realize that this wine is something special.