
2023
Region
France › Vin de France
Type
white · still
Grapes
Macabeo, Garnacha Blanca
Alcohol
12%
Volume
750 mL
A solid wine, and a fascinating one to sip after so many wines from Matassa. Sure, it doesn't reach the same depths as some of the heavier hitters, but it holds its ground with confidence. The youth shows - it's still a little reserved - but there's clear muscle under the surface. Herbaceous notes, pencil shavings, orange peel, and a cool menthol lift wrap around a core of good, bright fruit. Complex, but not trying to impress - just doing its own thing with quiet charm. Playful and seriously tasty.
This is a white wine made with one week of skin-contact maceration, crafted from a 50/50 blend of Macabeu and Grenache Blanc. The vineyards, aged 80 and 14 years respectively, are planted on schist slate soils.
The Grenache Blanc was harvested at just 11.5% potential alcohol and destemmed, while the Macabeu, picked at 13%, was left whole bunch. This careful balance resulted in a perfectly ripe final wine at 12% ABV.
To refine its texture, the wine was aged for nine months in a mix of old oak barrels, which helped soften the tannins, giving it a rounded mouthfeel. Following this, the wine was bottle-aged for an additional six months before its release.
Playing hard to get at first, but patience reveals a serious orange wine that's clearly read its classics. Sure, youth is holding it back a bit, but there's real muscle under that reserved exterior. Think Carso-style attitude - herbaceous notes, orange peel, and this fascinating menthol freshness. Pencil shavings sneak in there too. It's like a good book - complex but not shouting about it, with layers you'll keep discovering.