Sextant Métisse 2023

Sextant is Julien Altaber's project in Burgundy, and Metisse is his single variety Gamay bottled as Vin de France. The name means half and half, a nod to the first vintage that mixed red and white grapes. This is worked as a natural wine, fermented with native yeasts rather than cultured strains, which keeps the fruit expression regional and the aromatics savoury. Two thirds of the clusters are destemmed and macerated for around ten days while a third is pressed directly, a split that softens the tannins and keeps the red fruit fresh. Ageing takes place in fibre vats for six months, so there is no oak influence and the wine stays bright and unadorned. The colour is a light ruby. The nose leads with raspberry and cherry, wild strawberry and a touch of rose, with an earthy, faintly peppery edge from the whole cluster fraction. On the palate it is light bodied and juicy, low in tannin, with brisk acidity carrying a red currant finish. Serve lightly chilled at around 14 degrees. It suits roast chicken, charcuterie and mushroom dishes where a fresh, low alcohol red stays out of the way.