VDF rouge "Yo no puedo màs" 2021 - Mas d'Agalis (BD & vin nature)

"I can't stand it anymore...", Yo no puedo mas in Spanish. The name of this cuvée comes from Lionel's annoyance after the demotion of this cuvée to table wine, the incomprehension of the local tasting committee. A 'table wine', according to the law no year may be indicated, yet the Roman numerals on the label give the answer.

40% Carignan, 40% Syrah and 20% Cinsault from the Languedoc but just a little bit different. Not high in alcohol and sun-soaked, rather fine, juicy, beautiful, round fruit. Lionel is of the soft maceration, calls it 'infusing' himself. Nicely balanced thanks to the freshness and a fine depth. Not heavy on the stomach, mainly sultry and fruity.

Mas d'Agalis is located in Nébian, some 20 kilometres north of the rustic town of Pézenas in the Languedoc. In 2004, fourth-generation winegrower Lionel Maurel decided to do things a little differently than his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Instead of selling his grapes to large cooperatives at low prices, he decided to make his own wine. After a period of work experience with other winegrowers (including Thierry Allemand and Didier Barral), he settled in Nébian, Languedoc, some 40km northwest of Montpellier. His grapes grow spread over 8 hectares on terraces from the Villafranchien period, characterised by white quartz gravel. According to Lionel, every wine must be the result of the quality of the terroir and the climatic conditions of the year. And yet, despite the hot (read: very HOT) climate, he manages to produce light, soft and elegant wines.

Lionel works as naturally as possible in the vineyard and in the cellar. His vineyards have been cultivated naturally since 2004.

• Country / Region: France / Languedoc
• Grape variety: 40% Carignan, 40% Syrah and 20% Cinsault
• In the vineyard: Hand-picked in late August, early September. Grapes are destemmed and sorted by type before maceration. Organic farming
• In the basement: Spontaneous fermentation on own yeasts for 15 days. Juice then rests for 4-5 days in barrel, then matures for 1 year, 85% in stainless steel and 15% in 10 year old wooden barrels. Lightly filtered and <2g/Hl So2 at bottling.
• Quality mark: Ecocert - organic