Mourvédre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Cão, and Grenache from Mendocino, California; medium bodied and dry with notes of juicy black fruits, wild muscadine, and violets, with a glossy texture, medium-plus acidity, and dry, chalky tannins. Organic and Sustainable

Unfiltered Wine Club, February 2026, NV

"We’re wrapping up February with something delightfully unfussy and wildly drinkable, ES Okay Red from Mendocino, California. Winemaker Mike Lucia has been working harvests in Mendocino since he was a teenager, and in 2014 created his own label, Rootdown, to make soil-driven, minimal-intervention wines. A few years later, he added the ES Okay label to his brand as a way to offer wines that are casual, affordable, but still seriously well made. This non-vintage blend pulls from more than ten varieties, led by Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir, creating a wine that feels layered and expressive without ever trying too hard. Medium-bodied and structured, it bursts with all kinds of black fruits, wild muscadines, and fresh violets, with a juicy core that keeps you reaching for another sip. The texture is glossy and smooth at first, but the dry, chalky tannins quietly assert themselves on the finish, giving the wine backbone and balance. Medium-plus acidity keeps everything lifted and energetic, making this far more versatile than your average “easy” red. For food, this is a must for burger night, but it also plays beautifully with grilled sausages, barbecue chicken, black bean tacos, meatloaf, or roasted portobello caps with melted cheese. This is exactly the kind of wine you want on a random night when you still care about what’s in your glass. No need to overthink this one, just open it, pour generously, and enjoy."