Tommy Ferriol VdF 2024

The Tommy Ferriol VdF rouge 2024 is the light-footed red of Domaine Matassa: 10.0% ABV, dry, without added sulphur. Fresh, tonic, with a drinkability that empties the bottle quickly in good company.

The vines stand around Calce in Roussillon, on schist and marl, black schist and black marl, some on high-altitude garrigue parcels up to around 450 metres. Tom Lubbe farms 20 hectares there, many vines are 60 to 120 years old and grow among maquis scrub, fig trees and wild rosemary. Ecocert certifies the work is free of chemicals, with cover crops and compost. Harvest is early, hence the low alcohol.

A cuvée of 70% Syrah from ancient vines and 30% Muscat à Petits Grains. During fermentation just three days of skin contact, then pressed; the wine finishes fermenting spontaneously and ages in neutral vessels. Bottled unfiltered; since 2015 no SO₂ has left this cellar.

In the glass, a fairly transparent garnet. On the nose, first a compote of red and dark berries with sour cherry, with air rose, muscat and a touch of hops emerge, alongside strawberry, raspberry, cassis, redcurrant, stony minerality and wild herbs. Juicy on the palate, plenty of red berry fruit, herbs and hops, with lively acidity and fine-grained tannin that gives good grip.

In 2003 Tom Lubbe vinified his first vintage in his living room; today Domaine Matassa ranks among the icons of the natural wine scene. The Tommy Ferriol shows this signature in miniature: no sulphur, no filtration, low alcohol, plenty of freshness.