Matthieu Barret, `Petit Ours Blanc`

Matthieu Barret of Domaine du Coulet works with trusted growers who share his viticulture and winemaking values to produce a range of négociant wines from the Northern and Southern Rhône. The concept is light-hearted, as reflected by the joyful bear on the label (“a self-portrait”, jokes the short and stocky Barret), creating wines that are approachable in their youth. The ‘Petit Ours’ Côtes-du-Rhône, meaning ‘little bear’, comprises 100% Syrah sourced from vineyards planted on clay and gravel soils surrounding the village of Visan, next to Vinsobres. These north-facing vineyards are all farmed organically and worked using biodynamic methods, in keeping with Matthieu’s philosophy.

Grapes are hand-harvested and destemmed before fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in concrete vats for around 15 days. The wine is then lightly pressed and aged for approximately eight months in concrete vats to preserve the freshness and purity of fruit. The resulting wine has an expressive nose with layers of blackberry and black cherry fruit, alongside a defined by smooth and well-integrated tannins with juicy black fruit and a touch of black pepper spice on the finish.

The ‘Petit Ours’ Blanc is a blend of Roussanne and Marsanne, farmed both organically and biodynamically and planted at an elevation of 420 metres, bringing freshness to the finished wine. It is expressive with notes of stone fruits and white flowers balanced on the palate by refreshing acidity. The Crozes-Hermitage ‘Et La Bannière’ hails from his close friend David Reynaud's terraced vineyards called `Les Chassis` around the village of Beaumont-Monteux. Fermented in concrete using 50% whole bunch, the resulting wine has lifted aromas of fresh blackberries, crushed black pepper and a subtle smokiness. The palate is elegant and fresh with flavours of red and black berries and smooth, round tannins.