Olla Rouge Vin de France 2024 Matassa

Olla Rouge is the red sibling of Olla Blanc, and comes from the same vineyard, Coume de l'Olla, the natural hollow outside Calce from which Tom Lubbe produces his entry-level line. The blend is a small statement of Catalan style: approximately 60-70% Grenache Noir, 10-20% Grenache Gris, and the rest Macabeu, all grapes harvested and co-fermented together, white and red in the same vat, as was done in old Catalan wineries before someone decided to separate everything. Hand-harvested, vinification in concrete with a short semi-carbonic maceration, about a week or slightly more on the skins, spontaneous fermentation with only indigenous yeasts. Aged in concrete tanks for eight to nine months. Bottled without filtration, without fining, zero added sulfites.

What emerges is a red that bears little resemblance to what you'd expect from Roussillon: juicy, fragrant, with fruit at the forefront and surprising drinkability. A nose of crisp cherry, strawberry, a hint of pepper and garrigue, a lively palate with almost no tannins.