Mataburro, Otium 2023

Mataburro’s story began when former sommelier Laurent Roger, together with his partner Mélissa Ingrand, took over his family’s vineyards in Rivesaltes in Roussillon, France. The three hectares are managed organically with influences from both the clay-limestone geology and coastal Mediterranean climate. The wines consist of typical French/Spanish border varietals such as Muscat, Grenache, Syrah and Merlot, with the oldest Grenache vines planted by Laurent’s grandfather in 1949. Otium 2023 is made up of Carignan, Grenache Noir and Gris and Maccabeu. In separate tanks, each grape undergoes a short fermentation time of four days with the skins on. This as well as ageing in stainless steel maintains the freshness of each varietal. Light in colour, even more so than a Jura Ploussard, the grapes in this assemblage are naturally very low in phenols. This presents a super light and mineral body with spicy, juicy and even slatey notes. Otium 2023 would pair well with a herby tomato salad.