River 2024 Matassa

Domaine Matassa – River 2024

Overview

River 2024 from Domaine Matassa is a pure Syrah, hand-harvested at 500 metres altitude in Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet. The grapes were delivered in 500 g boxes, fermented whole-cluster and foot-tread, then macerated on the skins for five days. Maturation for eight months in 500-litre tonneaux gives structure and finesse while keeping alcohol very low. In the glass the wine shows a bright ruby red colour with aromas of crunchy red fruits, violet and a subtle spicy note. On the palate it is juicy, fresh and agile, with gentle tannins and a mineral finish that recalls the vineyard’s altitude. This Syrah is notable for its surprising lightness and drive — pure Matassa style. This wine contains sulfites.

Wine History

The River cuvée is one of Domaine Matassa’s expressions of high-altitude Syrah, conceived to capture freshness, purity and the cool climate character of the Fenouillèdes slopes. Over recent years Domaine Matassa, founded by Tom Lubbe, has established a signature approach to mountain fruit — low alcohol, vivid aromatics and a tensile mineral core. The 2024 vintage continues that line: grapes picked by hand, careful transport in small boxes and minimal cellar intervention to preserve natural energy and terroir clarity.

Vineyard Philosophy

Vines for River grow at 500 m a.s.l. in Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, in parcels where biodiversity is encouraged and treatments are kept to a minimum. Syrah is cultivated with organic/biodynamic principles, and harvest is manual, bunches placed intact into 500 g crates to avoid damage and preserve integrity. The altitude, diurnal range and calcareous influences give the fruit its tension and mineral profile, key to the wine’s agility and low alcohol expression.

Winemaking Approach

In cellar Matassa applies minimal intervention: whole-cluster fermentation, foot treading, and five days maceration on the skins. Fermentation proceeds with indigenous yeasts; maturation lasts eight months in 500 L oak tonneaux, adding subtle texture without weight. No fining, no filtration and no additions beyond the necessary; the low final alcohol (11% vol.) enhances drinkability and freshness while the barrel time brings harmony and length.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Bright ruby red with clear, luminous tones.
Nose: Crunchy red fruits (cherry, raspberry), violet, wild herbs and a delicate spicy hint.
Palate: Juicy, fresh and agile, with gentle tannins and a mineral, saline finish that evokes the vineyard altitude and stony soils.

Food Pairing

Pairs beautifully with white meats, artisanal charcuterie, Mediterranean dishes and soft cheeses. Also excellent with vegetable-forward dishes like ratatouille, herb risotto or legume preparations. Serve slightly cool at 14–16 °C for optimal freshness.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Domaine Matassa

• Vintage: 2024

• Region: Languedoc-Roussillon (Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet)

• Country: France

• Grape: 100% Syrah

• Format: 0.75 L

• Altitude: 500 m a.s.l.

• Fermentation: Whole cluster, foot-treaded; 5 days maceration

• Aging: 8 months in 500 L tonneaux

• Farming: Organic & biodynamic

• Alcohol: 11% vol.

• Serving temperature: 14–16 °C

• Contains sulfites

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Domaine Matassa – Tom Lubbe

History and Origins of the Domaine

Domaine Matassa was founded in 2003 in Calce, in the heart of the Pyrénées-Orientales, southern France, thanks to the vision of Tom Lubbe, originally from South Africa. After formative experiences in his homeland and a decisive collaboration with the renowned Gauby winery, Tom chose Roussillon to create a personal project focused on purity and terroir expression. In recent years, production has gradually moved to Mas Ferriol, a stunning estate located between Estagel and Calce, surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and hills. Here, among old vines and stony landscapes shaped by wind and light, Lubbe found the ideal environment to consolidate his unique style. From the start, his goal has been to showcase the ancient native varieties of the region — Carignan, Grenache, Macabeu, Lladoner Pelut — through respectful viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking. Today, Matassa is recognized worldwide as a reference for natural wines, symbolizing elegance, tension, and freedom.

Vineyard Philosophy

At Domaine Matassa, the key word is natural harmony. The parcels, many over a century old, are located at 350–600 meters above sea level, rooted in soils of schist, clay, and limestone. Viticulture follows strict biodynamic principles, with no synthetic chemicals, emphasizing biological balance and soil vitality. Harvesting is manual, respecting lunar and seasonal cycles. For Tom Lubbe, the vineyard is a living organism, and the winemaker’s role is to listen to its natural rhythms. The result is grapes of exceptional purity and concentration, transmitting the force of the wind, the minerality of the rocks, and the intense Roussillon light into the wines.

Winemaking Approach

The cellar philosophy is based on transparency and subtraction. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts, often whole-cluster, without temperature control. Macerations are delicate but expressive, with foot-treading to respect the structure of the fruit. Aging takes place in large neutral barrels and tonneaux, where wines rest on fine lees for several months, developing complexity and tension. No fining, no filtration, and minimal sulfite addition: the aim is to let the terroir speak, preserving the freshness and vitality of the fruit. The result is wines full of energy, light yet powerful, reflecting their Mediterranean origins.

Vision and Style

Domaine Matassa is today one of the most poetic and pure voices of contemporary wine. Tom Lubbe demonstrates that it is possible to create wines that are deep yet agile, intense yet delicate, reflecting the complexity of the Pyrenean landscape without overpowering it. Each label — from the Blanc to Romanissa, Mambo Sun or Cuvée Marguerite — tells a story of Mas Ferriol, where light, wind, and stone unite in perfect harmony. Bright acidity, mineral texture, and effortless elegance are the hallmarks of a producer who has redefined the language of Mediterranean wine. All Domaine Matassa wines contain sulfites.