2022 Domaine de l'Agramante Cuvée M'arricriu

WINEMAKER: Carlo la Rocca
REGION: Rhône, FR
VARIETY: Grenache, Cinsault, Counoise, Syrah
VITICULTURE: Organic

The M'arricriu 2022 is composed of Grenache (35%), Cinsault (35%), Counoise (20%) and Syrah (10%). The fruit is sourced from bush vines on Carlo’s property in Sabran, facing south and lying on sandy/silt terraces that see plenty of wind from the Mediterranean. Yields are low (35 hl/ha), and the fruit is strictly sorted in both vineyard and winery – allowing Carlo to keep sulphur to a bare minimum. The fruit is destemmed and lightly crushed, followed by a six-day maceration with daily pumpovers. The parcels are then blended and matured in vats for five months.

Dry conditions prevailed in Sabran in 2022, with not a drop of rain falling on Carlo’s vines between March and August. Low levels of nitrogen in the soils as a result slowed down ripening and delivered low yields of ripe fruit with fresh acidity and soft tannins at moderate alcohol levels. Carlo likens it to the equally low-yielding and delicious 2021s. In the glass, they drink as you’d think: full of intensity and delicious, pure flavour, but light of tread with gorgeous mid-weight appeal and drinkability out the wazoo!