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Winemaker: Jean-Luc Brouillat
Mattes-Sabran is the kind of domaine that the rest of the would would just love to discover. Located in the heart of Corbières, one of France's largest wine appellations, in the village of Sigean, Mattes-Sabran makes extraordinary wine among the hot, dry hillsides of France's Mediterranean coast.
The owner of Mattes-Sabran, Jean-Luc Brouillat, is an incredibly serious winemaker who is committed to pulling the finest wines from his impressive terroirs, and this shows in every bottle. Many of Mattes-Sabran's vineyards are located on steep hillsides, terraced into the chalky, poor soils. This tough terrain is peppered with galets roulés, the large stones found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Such tough conditions push these sun-loving vines to produce fruit that is very concentrated and deliciously layered, yet still retains a great balance of freshness and pure fruit.
The domaine produces the remarkably fresh and fruit-driven “Le Viala,” a blend of southern Rhône varietals including Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre. “Le Viala” is all about power—raised completely in tank, this wine shows like a theoretical blend of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Cornas, juiced up with the extra measure of garrigue that only Corbières can capture as gorgeously. Grapes here are often harvested in two passes: one pass before complete maturity for pepper, and then a late harvest for punch. Each varietal is vinified separately in tank, to preserve every bit of fresh, pure fruit—no wood touches any of these wines.
Our “Le Viala” is always a selection of Mattes-Sabran's finest tanks. Mattes-Sabran's “Clos Redon” is 100% Syrah, a full, rich and ruby-red wine that is very pure and sumptuous. The domaine's rose, a blend of 90% Grenache and a blend of Syrah and Mourvèdre, is a delightfully precise and fresh wine, showing notes of raspberries and pink grapefruit.