Matassa - Olla Rouge 2022

Olla Rouge 2022 is a natural wine crafted by Matassa, in the Roussillon region in France. This red wine is made with Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris and Macabeu grapes. Tom Lubbe started Matassa in Calce in 2003, after three vintages working for Gérard Gauby, and the estate now runs to around 20 hectares of old, often co-planted vines on slate and marl. Everything is declassified to Vin de France. He picks early, so the wines rarely pass 12 percent alcohol, and no sulphur has gone into any of them since the 2015 vintage. Olla is the single vineyard Coume de l'Olla, and the three varieties are co-planted in the same plot of roughly 50 year old vines, so they are picked and fermented together. Everything happens in concrete: a short maceration of about three days, a gentle press, spontaneous fermentation on the vineyard's own yeast, then back into concrete to age. No wood touches it at any point, which is why it tastes as direct as it does. This is the lightest and most immediate of the Matassa reds. Expect a high acid red (or red-white blend!) with pops of raspberry, strawberry, cherry and herbs, with a soft prickle, fine spice and barely any tannin. If wanting to pair this with food, a good option could be charcuterie, roast tomatoes or anything off a grill.