Matthieu Barret Cornas "Brise Cailloux" 2021
We have 6 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land:
Cornas is one of the most powerful terroirs in the Northern Rhône, a natural amphitheater of steep, south-facing granite slopes that produce some of the region’s most intense and age-worthy Syrah. The thin, rocky soils—literally “broken stones” (brise cailloux)—force vines to struggle, yielding small, concentrated berries with deep structure and mineral intensity. Warm days ripen the fruit fully, while cool nights and the mistral winds preserve acidity and freshness, giving Cornas its signature balance of richness and energy.
The Wine:
Made from 100% Syrah, Brise Cailloux is vinified with whole clusters and native yeasts, then aged in a combination of concrete eggs and older oak barrels. This approach enhances purity, minerality, and tension while softening the formidable structure of young Cornas. The 2021 vintage is vibrant yet deep, with layers of blackberry, cassis, smoked meat, and black olive, wrapped in fine-grained tannins and a long, savory finish. Powerful yet lifted, this wine is an authentic reflection of Cornas—wild, structured, and built to evolve beautifully in the cellar.
The People:
Matthieu Barret, the visionary behind Domaine du Coulet, is a 7th-generation vigneron known for redefining Syrah in the Northern Rhône. After taking over his family’s 25 acres in Cornas at just 23, he revolutionized farming and winemaking, shifting to biodynamic viticulture and replacing machinery with horses and manual labor. His philosophy is simple: let nature lead. His vineyards are wild, teeming with life, supported by watering holes and green corridors to promote biodiversity. Vinification follows the same low-intervention ethos—no new oak, no racking, minimal sulfur, and no fining or filtration. The Matthieu Barret range, sourced from leased organic and biodynamic vineyards across the Rhône, showcases Syrah in its purest form, shaped by terroir and meticulous craftsmanship.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
The Rhône Valley is a diverse and historic wine region, divided into two distinct areas. The Northern Rhône is the birthplace of Syrah, with steep, terraced vineyards that produce some of the world's most revered wines, such as those from Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. The Southern Rhône is much more expansive, offering a wider range of styles, but typically based around Grenache-based blends, with wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape known for their complexity and power. While the region is celebrated for its reds, it also produces incredible textured whites, and as a whole the region displays the spectrum of French wine and the incredible differences that can come from small geographic changes.
Rhone Valley
Syrah is a dark-skinned grape of French origin, specifically from the Northern Rhône Valley, where it produces some of the world's most powerful and complex wines. Known as Shiraz in Australia, Syrah is capable of displaying a wide range of aromas and flavors. Cool climate Syrahs tend to express floral notes like violets, along with savory elements like olives, while those grown in warmer climates like Australia are more likely to show black pepper and dark fruit notes such as plum. The grape's versatility allows it to adapt to various climates and soil types, but it maintains its unique characteristics no matter where it is planted.
