Donkey Killer, Qu’est-ce Que C’est?

MATABURRO

LAURENT ROGER & MELISSA INGRAND

Rivesaltes, Pyrénées-Orientales, France

Laurent Roger and Melissa Ingrand’s project is named for the railway line that runs just behind their vines. The first in the Perpignan region, on its opening day in 1910 two unfortunate donkeys were killed by trains. Mataburro means “donkey killer”.

They are farming three hectares in Rivesaltes. To have maximum soil life they do not plough, using green manure planting instead. Vineyards are worked organically with the only treatments used sulphur, copper and some essential oils. Winemaking uses native yeast with no fining or filtration.

Their 2019 cuvees have just landed - we've had a quick chat:

"For the 2019 cuvee of Otium we have used Grenache Noir, planted by my grandfather in 1949, as well as small amounts of Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Macabeo and Carignan. All were harvested at the same time. The idea was to have more diversity in the wine. Whole bunch infusion, without extracting too much tannins from the skins. A total of 7 days maceration. Aged in tank. The end result is delicate and floral, with just a little bit of tannins. 

"The 2019 Idoine cuvee comes from the Merlot parcel right next to Otium, planted by my father 30 years ago. Last year it was a mix between Merlot and Grenache, but this year it's 100% Merlot. Pigeage, then 7 day maceration, aged in tank. I liked the Merlot juice which had cherry and grenadine flavours and I have decided to create a cuvee out of it. 

"In general, our cuvees are very experimental. What I'm driven towards are fresh and light wines, which I like to evolve regularly. There are no set guidelines or winemaking techniques we follow. These don't matter to us, what matters is the end result. It is more led by what we feel like every year. We go out into the vineyards and we taste the grapes together. Every year the climate is different, the grapes are different. Everything is determined by feeling and intuition.

"Next year we might be bringing out our first white cuvee, so stay tuned!"

Now in Stock

RED

2019 Otium - Grenache, Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Macabeo and Carignan

2019 Idoine - Merlot, Grenache