Majas Cortado 2022

Domaine Majas lies at Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes, at the foot of the Pyrenees in the Languedoc-Roussillon, farmed organically by Alain and Agnès Carrère since their neighbour, the South African winemaker Tom Lubbe of Matassa, converted them in 2007. The Côtes Catalanes vineyards sit on limestone and schist in the Fenouillèdes foothills, where altitude and cool mountain air temper the southern sun, so the Grenache and Carignan keep freshness and lift rather than turning heavy at 13.5 percent. This cuvée is fermented and raised only in stainless steel, with no oak, a neutral, temperature-controlled vessel that locks in primary fruit and lets the soil character and the grapes' natural perfume come through clearly. The wine is bright ruby. The nose shows wild raspberry, red cherry and plum over cracked pepper, dried herbs and warm stone. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with juicy red fruit, a peppery lift, fine tannins and a savoury, mineral finish. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees, lightly cooled. It suits charcuterie, grilled pork and mushroom dishes.