Rouge 2023 Matassa

Matassa Rouge 2023 – Domaine Matassa

Overview

Matassa Rouge 2023 is a natural red wine produced by Tom Lubbe at Domaine Matassa, in Calce, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
It is a blend of Grenache Noir (70%) and Carignan (30%), from old vines planted on clay-limestone soils rich in skeleton, giving the wine freshness and minerality. Grapes are hand-harvested and spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts, without additives, fining, filtration, or added sulfites.

Matassa Rouge expresses the immediate, fresh, and drinkable side of Matassa’s style, highlighting the Mediterranean terroir with elegance and balance.

History and Philosophy

Matassa Rouge is conceived as a daily wine with a distinctive identity: energy, freshness, and drinkability without sacrificing structure or aromatic precision.
Lubbe works under certified organic farming (Ecocert) with selective biodynamic practices, avoiding herbicides and synthetic fertilizers. The aim is to support soil vitality and plant health, preserving the authentic character of the grapes.

Vineyard Philosophy

The vines grow in a Mediterranean microclimate, between the sea and the hills of Calce, where dry winds help maintain balance and concentration in the fruit.
Clay-limestone soils provide minerality, freshness, and fine tannins, while old vines yield small but intensely aromatic clusters. Biodiversity is central to vineyard management, including cover crops, compost, and herbal infusions to stimulate soil life.

Winemaking Approach

Vinification follows minimal intervention principles: grapes are destemmed, crushed, and fermented spontaneously in concrete, with approximately two weeks of maceration.
After fermentation, the wine ages 8 months in concrete without fining, filtration, or added sulfites. The result is a vibrant, fresh, and approachable wine, with elegant fruit, soft tannins, and a persistent finish.

Tasting Notes

Color: bright ruby red.
Nose: fresh aromas of crisp red berries, Mediterranean herbs, and subtle balsamic hints.
Palate: light, agile, and savory, with soft, integrated tannins, harmonious structure, and persistent finish.
A fun and drinkable wine, perfect for everyday enjoyment without sacrificing freshness and elegance.

Food Pairings

Pairs well with grilled red meats, light game, tortillas, or pasta dishes. Serve at 14–16°C to enhance freshness and drinkability.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Domaine Matassa

• Wine: Matassa Rouge

• Vintage: 2023

• Region: Languedoc-Roussillon

• Location: Calce, France

• Grapes: Grenache Noir 70%, Carignan 30%

• Farming: Certified organic (Ecocert), selective biodynamic practices

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation, 2-week maceration in concrete

• Aging: 8 months in concrete

• Alcohol: 13% vol

• Serving Temperature: 14–16°C

• Format: 0.75 L

• Contains sulfites

See all products of Matassa

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.