Matassa Rouge VdF 2024

Tasting Notes for Matassa Rouge VdF 2024 by Matassa

Colour & Appearance

Muted cherry red with sparkling, violet highlights.

Nose

On the nose, this natural wine reveals itself to be as wild as it is incredibly charming. Juicy notes of sour cherries, cassis, cranberries and fig combine with dark elderberry pulp and savoury black olive. Deeply rooted tones of juniper, clove, leather and cocoa round off the bouquet, underpinned by subtle nuances of tobacco and cedarwood.

Palate

On the palate, the wine presents itself as soft and enormously fruit-driven. Earthy and mineral nuances coat the mouth thickly, whilst the elegant acidity structure provides a buoyant lightness. At a slender 11.0% ABV, this Carignan feels carefree, lively and offers a captivating, effortless drinkability.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the high-altitude garrigue sites around Calce in Roussillon. On soils of slate and marl, winemaker Tom Lubbe defies the Mediterranean heat: through a deliberately early harvest, he preserves the native freshness and minerality of the region, rather than relying on heavy extraction.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Varietal Carignan, vinified as an uncompromising natural wine. The estate works strictly by hand using spontaneous fermentation and frequently whole-bunch pressing. The wine is bottled unfiltered and, since the 2015 vintage, has been produced completely without added sulphur.

Food Pairings

An ideal partner for rustic dishes such as braised lamb with herbs de Provence, seared duck breast or a board of matured goat’s cheese and black olives. Equally delightful served slightly chilled alongside a wild mushroom ragout.

Particularities

A red Roussillon of radical lightness: Tom Lubbe breaks away from the traditional heaviness of the region, crafting a fresh, unsulphured cult wine full of energy from Carignan.