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MATASSA Marguerite
MATASSA Marguerite
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$44.00 USD
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Matassa Cuvée Marguerite is a distinctive natural white wine crafted by Domaine Matassa, a renowned winery located in the Roussillon region of southern France, near the border with Spain. This wine is a blend primarily composed of Muscat of Alexandria (also known as Moscato d’Alessandria), Macabeo (Macabeu), and Muscat à Petits Grains, with occasional additions of Viognier depending on the vintage. Produced by Tom Lubbe, a South African-born winemaker who founded Matassa in 2003 after working with Domaine Gauby, this cuvée reflects his commitment to minimal-intervention winemaking and biodynamic principles.
The grapes for Cuvée Marguerite are sourced from small, old-vine parcels—some over a century old—scattered across 15 hectares of vineyards around the village of Calce. These vineyards are planted in soils of schist and marl, surrounded by native scrubland, and influenced by a Mediterranean climate tempered by the nearby Pyrenees. The vines are cultivated organically and biodynamically, yielding low quantities of approximately 18 hectoliters per hectare. Harvesting is done by hand in the early morning, with grapes collected in small 12 kg boxes to ensure they remain fresh and intact.
In the winery, Cuvée Marguerite is fermented using native yeasts in 500-liter barrels, often with a period of whole-cluster maceration lasting several weeks, giving it a slight golden or orange hue and a moderately tannic structure. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and ages for 10 to 12 months in used oak barrels or foudres, without stirring of the lees (batonnage). Minimal sulfur is added during the process, staying true to its natural wine ethos.
The result is an aromatic, vibrant wine with intense notes of tropical fruit—think candied orange peel, lychee, mango, and pineapple—alongside floral hints like chamomile and tea, and a touch of almond or honey. On the palate, it offers good tension, clarity, and a full-bodied yet balanced profile, with a lingering, complex finish. Its richness and texture are enhanced by the barrel aging, making it both approachable and layered. With a relatively low alcohol content (around 10.5% to 11%), it’s a versatile wine that pairs well with dishes like white fish, poultry, or even foie gras, and it can evolve beautifully when stored in the fridge for days or cellared for up to 15 years.
Matassa Cuvée Marguerite has earned a cult following in the natural wine scene for its purity, drinkability, and expression of the local terroir, making it a standout offering from one of the most respected producers in the genre.
