Leo Steen 'Casa Verde' Red Field Blend, Redwood Valley, Mendocino Co., California 2023
Leo Hansen built his reputation reviving forgotten and overlooked California sites, and Casa Verde is one of the best examples: a field blend planted by Italian immigrant farmers in Redwood Valley more than 70 years ago as an everyday table wine, later brought back to life by longtime local farmer Peter Chevalier rather than being replanted or pulled out. For Hansen, it's a chance to recreate a style of wine that's largely disappeared from California — an uncomplicated, vibrant red meant for the table, not the cellar.
- WINEMAKER: Leo Hansen
- FARMING: Dry-farmed and organically farmed (not certified)
- VARIETY: Field blend led by Grenache and Carignan, with smaller amounts of Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and French Colombard
- TERROIR: Redwood Valley AVA, Mendocino County. Own-rooted, head-trained vines over 70 years old, planted in sandy clay loam soils in the historic heart of Redwood Valley's old field-blend country.
- VINIFICATION: The Carignan base undergoes carbonic maceration before being blended with the remaining field-blend varieties; unfined and unfiltered.
- TASTING NOTES: A vivid, electric purple-red hue introduces red cherry and black raspberry, layered with violet and red perilla leaf. The palate carries that same red cherry and cranberry fruit alongside purple flower and earthy undertones, with the Carignan's natural acidity driving a lively, fresh finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Charcuterie, thin-crust pizza, roasted chicken, or simple weeknight Italian fare.
- SCORES: 93 points, Vinous (Antonio Galloni)
Leo Steen 'Casa Verde' Red Field Blend, Redwood Valley, Mendocino Co., California 2023
Leo Hansen built his reputation reviving forgotten and overlooked California sites, and Casa Verde is one of the best examples: a field blend planted by Italian immigrant farmers in Redwood Valley more than 70 years ago as an everyday table wine, later brought back to life by longtime local farmer Peter Chevalier rather than being replanted or pulled out. For Hansen, it's a chance to recreate a style of wine that's largely disappeared from California — an uncomplicated, vibrant red meant for the table, not the cellar.
- WINEMAKER: Leo Hansen
- FARMING: Dry-farmed and organically farmed (not certified)
- VARIETY: Field blend led by Grenache and Carignan, with smaller amounts of Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and French Colombard
- TERROIR: Redwood Valley AVA, Mendocino County. Own-rooted, head-trained vines over 70 years old, planted in sandy clay loam soils in the historic heart of Redwood Valley's old field-blend country.
- VINIFICATION: The Carignan base undergoes carbonic maceration before being blended with the remaining field-blend varieties; unfined and unfiltered.
- TASTING NOTES: A vivid, electric purple-red hue introduces red cherry and black raspberry, layered with violet and red perilla leaf. The palate carries that same red cherry and cranberry fruit alongside purple flower and earthy undertones, with the Carignan's natural acidity driving a lively, fresh finish.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: Charcuterie, thin-crust pizza, roasted chicken, or simple weeknight Italian fare.
- SCORES: 93 points, Vinous (Antonio Galloni)