El Carner Rouge VdF 2023

Wine Description for El Carner VdF rouge 2023 by Matassa

Colour & Appearance

A luminous, transparent cherry red with subtle, natural cloudiness – the wine makes no effort to appear conventional, and that is its strength.

Nose

The nose is immediately seductive: ripe sweet cherries, cherry sweets and red peaches come to the fore, accompanied by a delicate herbal undertone and a hint of animalistic depth. Fresh, direct, unpretentious.

Palate

On the palate, El Carner reveals its playful side: a fine, invigorating perlage from carbonic maceration lends it lightness, whilst a textural grip – almost like fine sandpaper – gives the wine surprising substance. The animating acidity keeps everything in motion, the red fruit remains present and clean. With just 10.5% alcohol, this is a wine that liberates rather than burdens.

Finish

Medium-length, fresh and crisp – it bids farewell with a light note of cherry stones and a mineral echo. Not a wine that puts on airs; one that simply works.

Grape Variety & Vinification

An unusual blend of 60% Grenache Gris and 40% Macabeo – two varieties normally considered “grey” and “white”, which here together create a red wine. After brief carbonic maceration with stems, the wine matures for eight months in ceramic eggs – unsulphited, unfiltered, uncompromisingly artisanal.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Served lightly chilled, El Carner unfolds its full potential as a table companion. Ideal with a roast beef, pickled vegetables and melting cheese sandwich, with a tomato tarte tatin with olives and thyme or with harissa chicken skewers with tomato salad. The textural grip makes it a natural food wine.

Special Features

Tom Lubbe and his winery Matassa in Roussillon are among the most consistent advocates of natural winemaking in southern France. El Carner embodies this philosophy: no sulphur, no filtration, no compromises – instead a wine full of personality and drinkability.