
Same as always - and that's the point. Tommy Ferriol just doesn't miss. Burst berries, rosehip, pomegranate, Nordic berries, sour cherry. Sharp, powerful acidity, but the tannins are surprisingly well-integrated. Vibrant, charged, wildly drinkable.
A 70/30 blend of Syrah and Muscat Petit Grains.
It's been 5 years since we took over the Mas Ferriol, a historic Catalan mas near Perpignan. We brought it from Domane Jolly Ferriol and there has been confusion over who now owns the property. We do, and as the grapes for Brutal Rouge/Tommy Ferriol come exclusively from our vineyards around the Mas (our winery and home) we wanted to denote and celebrate that fact. Hence the name change. The 2023 was also the 20th vintage of Domaine Matassa!
--- Tom Lubbe / morenaturalwine.com
Class, as always. Tommy Ferriol just doesn't miss. There's something raw and torn about this - burst berries, noticeable VA that adds character rather than fault, loads of Nordic berries and sour cherry. The acidity is sharp, powerful, almost aggressive, but the tannins are surprisingly well-integrated for something this young. Very good wine. The kind that makes you want to buy a case and forget about it for five years, except you know you'll drink it all within a month.
Oh, this one's got character. It pours like a hibiscus-and-rosehip tea steeped in pomegranate. A tumble of redcurrant, strawberry juice, raspberries, blueberries, and fresh herbs. Earth and spice. A touch of VA. And it's so vibrant - charged and wildly drinkable. There's still some tension to it, like it hasn't fully exhaled yet. Either give it a good decant or let it rest a while in bottle. Fresh, elastic, juicy - it's pulsing with energy.
I've had this wine a few times, yet I just realized I've never actually assessed it. Probably because I haven't touched my own bottles (let's call it a strategic reserve).
It's a fantastic wine - maybe not the most aromatically deep at the moment, but it's undeniably enticing and delicious. Juicy red berries, rosehip, pomegranate, a hint of overripe fruit, and a touch of earth. But what really stands out is how incredibly vibrant and drinkable it is. Flows effortlessly.
At some point, I'll have to open one of my own bottles and properly explore it solo.