Matassa Brutal!!! Orange

Wine Type: Orange / Skin-Contact White
Style: Natural Roussillon orange wine; aromatic, textured, savory, mineral-driven, fresh
Vintage: Not specified
Bottle Size: 750ml
Grape Variety: Muscat d’Alexandrie, Macabeu (blend varies by vintage)
Appellation: Vin de France
Country: France
Region: Calce, Roussillon
Producer: Domaine Matassa
Winemaker: Tom Lubbe
Vineyard: Organically farmed vineyards around Calce, in the foothills of the Pyrenees
Soil: Schist, limestone, and clay
Farming: Certified organic; biodynamic practices; hand-harvested
Alcohol: Vintage-dependent; confirmation needed
Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and extended skin maceration; exact duration varies by vintage
Aging: Neutral vessels to preserve freshness and aromatic complexity; bottled with minimal sulfur
Food Pairings: Grilled octopus, roasted squash, spicy noodles, roast chicken, grilled shrimp, mushroom dishes, aged Comté, Mediterranean vegetables

Tasting Note:
Matassa’s “Brutal!!!” Orange is a wildly expressive, deeply aromatic skin-contact wine that captures Tom Lubbe’s unconventional approach to Roussillon. Orange peel, ripe apricot, peach skin, dried flowers, wild herbs, and subtle spice lead into a textured, savory palate. Gentle tannins and bright acidity balance the wine’s aromatic richness, while a salty mineral edge carries through a long, slightly bitter citrus finish. Energetic, complex, and wonderfully distinctive, with enough structure to shine alongside food.

About the Producer:
Domaine Matassa was founded in 2003 by South African-born winemaker Tom Lubbe in Calce, Roussillon. One of southern France’s most influential natural-wine producers, Lubbe champions organic and biodynamic farming, old vines, indigenous fermentations, and minimal sulfur. His wines challenge the region’s traditionally powerful, high-alcohol style, instead emphasizing freshness, aromatic complexity, and a clear expression of place. “Brutal!!!” is part of an international, loosely collaborative natural-wine project in which participating producers create experimental wines with minimal intervention, often bottled without added sulfur. Matassa’s interpretation is an expressive, skin-contact white that highlights the aromatic potential of Mediterranean grape varieties.