Domaine du Coulet - Matthieu Barret 'Billes Noires' AOC Cornas 2016
  • Syrah
  • Biodynamic, Natural, Organic, Vegan-Friendly
  • Dry
  • Light Bodied
  • 750ml

Domaine du Coulet - Matthieu Barret 'Billes Noires' AOC Cornas 2016

Côtes du Rhône, France
$139.95per bottle ($839.70per case)
6 bottles per case
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One of the most coveted natural wines in France. From legendary winemaker Matthieu Barret of Domaine de Coulet in Cornas. The Matthieu Barret labelled wines are from a leased organic and biodynamic vineyard in Visan, about an hour South of the Domaine. 

From a small production, which varies from 4,000 to 7,000 bottles depending on the vintage, this 100% Syrah cuvée is made from old 55-year-old vines planted on very degraded granite soils in the Sommet des Arlettes.

The deep black cherry colour expresses in the glass an intense bouquet of black fruits mixed with animal and notes of camphore. The palate with a full attack develops on a mellow body that diffuses intense cocoa flavours. The generous tannins in no way outweigh the flamboyant length of this very expressive vintage.

Wonderful with truffled gnocchi. It can be cellared for years... 

About the Winery

Domaine du Coulet - Matthieu Barret

Matthieu Barret was born in Aix-en-Provence in 1975 and studied viticulture in Beaune.

He is the 7th generation vigneron and joined his grandfather in Cornas in 1997. Previously, his family had only been farming and selling grapes. He practices biodynamic viticulture, obtaining very low yields (23 hl/ha) and extraordinary quality. He describes his wines as being 100% grape, with a very low sulphite addition. His wines are extremely clean, and, true to the Cornas character. Domaine du Coulet was founded by Matthieu Barret’s grandfather after WWII, and over the years has supplied grapes to some of the best known producers in the Northern Rhône, including Chapoutier and Delas. While his father eschewed the agrarian lifestyle, opting instead for a career in international business, Matthieu knew early on that he wanted to be a vigneron. In 1998 at the age of only 23, he took over the family’s 25 acres of well-situated vines on the terraced hillsides of Cornas.

From the beginning, Matthieu has employed natural, organic practices and by 2002 (his second year of production) the domaine received its biodynamic certification. With each vintage, Matthieu has gained a better understanding of his vine parcels and through thoughtful experimentation, he now turns out a remarkable selection of Cornas wines that express the unique nuances of each micro-terroir. No new oak, no racking, minimal use of sulfur and no fining or filtration. Pure, sexy Syrah.