Mas Coutelou Sauvé de la Citerne 2019

Mas Coutelou is a family estate in the Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France, where Jeff Coutelou farms biodynamically, works without chemicals and makes his wines without added sulphites. He has reduced his vineyard from 20 to 13 hectares to limit yields and work the vines more closely. Sauvé de la Citerne is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah. The region's warm, dry Mediterranean climate and poor, stony soils of limestone and schist concentrate the fruit and bring the wild garrigue herbs into the wine, while cooling influences keep acidity fresh. Fermentation runs on wild yeast with no added sulphur, and time in barrel softens the tannins and adds a savoury, leathery depth through slow oxygen exchange. The colour is a deep, dark red. The nose shows red and black fruit with herbal and spicy notes. The palate is concentrated yet flexible, round and lively, savoury through to a long finish. At 14.5 per cent it has weight and freshness together. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees. It suits grilled lamb and red meat.