Matthieu Barret "Petit Ours" Cotes-du-Rhone 2023
We have 8 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
The Land:
Sourced from certified organic vineyards in the northern sector of the Côtes-du-Rhône, Petit Ours benefits from a cooler climate and granite-rich soils more commonly associated with Northern Rhône terroirs. This distinct setting allows for a fresher, more vibrant expression of Syrah—one that retains the grape’s signature spice and dark fruit character while showcasing a lifted, mineral-driven profile. The combination of organic farming, hand-harvesting, and minimal intervention in the vineyard ensures that the wine remains a pure reflection of its origins.
The Wine:
Made from 100% Syrah from young vines, Petit Ours is fermented with native yeasts and aged in concrete to preserve freshness and energy. The result is a lively, fruit-forward Syrah with notes of blackberry, black cherry, and crushed violets, accented by hints of cracked pepper and a touch of wild herbs. Silky tannins and bright acidity keep the wine agile and drinkable, making it an excellent introduction to Matthieu Barret’s style—serious Rhône Syrah with a playful edge.
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.
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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.
