Cuvée Romanissa VdF 2023

Wine Description for Cuvée Romanissa VdF rouge 2023 by Matassa

Colour & Appearance

Pale, luminous ruby red with delicate reflections. The wine deliberately presents itself unfiltered with visible cloudiness – a statement for naturalness and artisanal authenticity.

Nose

Tom Lubbe, the mind behind Matassa, polarises with this vintage too. Reduction dominates initially and demands patience. Those who embrace it will discover an energetic fruit palette beneath: wild raspberries, sour cherry and morello cherry. Yet that’s only half the story. Rustic, farmyard notes – goat shed, dried grass, wild herb meadows – lend the wine an unpolished, almost provocative character. Ethereal, animalistic, demanding. Definitely not a wine for compromise.

Palate

At only 11% alcohol, a radical lightweight that nonetheless displays structure. Taut, juicy, threaded through with vibrant acidity. The fine-grained tannin serves as backbone and prevents the slender body from falling apart. The ethereal nuances continue: pine needles, rosemary, wild herbs against a backdrop of blackcurrant and raspberry. The wild yeasts and reduction leave an impression of fresh sauerkraut – an association that won’t appeal to everyone.

Finish

Medium length, characterised by the prominent acidity and herbal, bitter notes. The wine remains tense-laden through to the end.

Terroir & Origin

From Roussillon, where Tom Lubbe works on barren soils with old Grenache vines. His philosophy: minimal intervention, maximum honesty.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Grenache in its most reductive form. Spontaneous fermentation, no fining, no filtration, minimal sulphur. A wine that deliberately transcends the boundaries of convention.

Food Pairing Suggestions

With charcuterie, goat’s cheese, grilled vegetables with herbs or ratatouille. The rustic notes also harmonise with fermented dishes or sauerkraut.

Special Features

An uncompromising natural wine that divides opinion. Those seeking perfection and high gloss are in the wrong place. Those who appreciate authenticity, tension and rough edges will find a fascinating companion.