El Carner Rouge 2023 Matassa

El Carner Rouge 2023 – Domaine Matassa

Overview

El Carner Rouge 2023 is an orange wine crafted by Tom Lubbe at his Domaine Matassa in Calce, Languedoc-Roussillon. Made from a blend of Grenache Gris (60%) and Macabeu (40%), sourced from clay- and schist-rich soils surrounded by Mediterranean garrigue, this wine reflects the purity and tension of its terroir. Hand-harvested grapes, long skin contact and amphora aging bring forth an elegant yet vibrant wine — refined, persistent and slightly oxidative, with floral and exotic fruit notes that express the wild beauty of Matassa’s vineyards.

History and Philosophy

El Carner Rouge was born from Tom Lubbe’s desire to highlight the native grapes of Roussillon in their most transparent and genuine form. Working under certified organic farming (Ecocert) and using selective biodynamic practices, Lubbe’s approach focuses on maintaining balance and biodiversity rather than intervention. Each vintage of El Carner Rouge tells a story of patience, light and authenticity — a liquid portrait of Calce’s mineral soils and mountain winds.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vines for El Carner Rouge occupy a small half-hectare plot, rooted in limestone, clay and schist, about 400 meters above sea level. Constant winds and natural vegetation create an ideal microclimate for healthy, aromatic fruit. The grapes are hand-picked in small crates, preserving the delicate skins essential for orange winemaking. No synthetic treatments are used; only natural infusions and plant-based preparations nurture the vines. The goal: to translate the energy of the living soil directly into the glass.

Winemaking Approach

Vinification follows Matassa’s philosophy of mindful minimalism. The grapes are fermented spontaneously with native yeasts and undergo a one-month maceration on the skins in 1,000-liter Italian amphorae. The wine then ages for eight months in the same amphorae, developing depth and gentle oxidative complexity. There is no fining, no filtration, and no added sulfites — a pure and vivid expression of fruit, soil, and light.

Tasting Notes

Colour: bright golden with amber hues.
Nose: intensely floral, with white and yellow flowers, exotic fruit, and Mediterranean herbs.
Palate: fresh yet full-bodied, marked by subtle oxidative tones, vibrant minerality, and remarkable elegance. The finish is long, refined, and saline.
A wine of clarity, texture and poise, embodying the essence of Matassa.

Food Pairing

Ideal with seafood dishes, poultry or Mediterranean cuisine. Perfect with Paella Valenciana, aged cheeses or spiced vegetables. Serve at 12–14°C to fully reveal its aromatic layers. Elegant and never overdone, El Carner Rouge is a lesson in balance and purity.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Domaine Matassa

• Wine: El Carner Rouge

• Vintage: 2023

• Region: Languedoc-Roussillon

• Location: Calce (France)

• Grapes: Grenache Gris 60%, Macabeu 40%

• Farming: certified organic (Ecocert), partial biodynamic practices

• Vinification: spontaneous fermentation, one-month maceration in amphora

• Aging: 8 months in the same amphorae

• Alcohol: 13% vol

• Serving Temperature: 12–14°C

• Format: 0.75 L

• Contains sulfites

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.