Matassa El Carner

Vintage: 2022

Origin: Roussillion, France

Grapes: 60% Grenache Gris, 40% Macabeu

Alcohol: 10%

Named after the Catalan word for "ram," El Carner delivers a profound orange wine experience from one of Roussillon's most respected natural winemakers. This captivating cuvée blends 110-year-old Grenache Gris and Macabeu vines from a tiny half-hectare parcel surrounded by aromatic garrigue herbs. The vines, deeply rooted in a complex mix of limestone, clay, and slate soils, produce fruit of extraordinary concentration and character. Tom Lubbe's approach is decidedly non-interventionist—whole bunches undergo a four-week maceration in 1000-litre amphora, where fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts and without added sulfur. The resulting wine offers an intriguing aromatic tapestry of fresh herbs, orange rind, and earthiness that gradually unfolds to reveal layers of subtle fruit and distinct minerality. True to Matassa's philosophy, El Carner stands as a pure expression of its unique terroir, showcasing the harmonious relationship between ancient vines, thoughtful farming, and minimal cellar work.