CHÂTEAU DE MATTES

Corbières

What the critics are saying:

David Schildnecht, The Wine Advocate: “This Domaine has turned out some impressive bargains over the years.”

Our notes:

Chateau de Mattes, located in the village of Sigean right in the heart of Corbières, produces wonderfully expressive whites and reds at remarkable prices. The estate is run by Jean-Luc Brouillat and his wife and has been in the family since 1733. The vineyards, terraced along the hot, dry hillsides of France’s Mediterranean coast, are predominantly limestone and clay, although certain sections are also covered in alluvial galets roulés; the large, smooth stones found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These soils are very poor. The varieties planted for the reds are Syrah, Grenache and Mouvèdre while the white is made from Vermentino (known locally as Rolle). These are authentic, elegant, well made wines that taste of where they are grown. They’re made unpretentiously and are very reasonably priced.  But above all they are a bloody good drink.