Le Mazel Rosé 2024

Cépage : 40%  Grenache - 40% Syrah (pressurage direct) -  20% Merlot (7 day de maceration)

Something of a curiosity from the Mazel cellar; an unusual demi-sec rosé that isn't made every year. From a direct-pressing of Syrah and Grenache, with a small percentage of macerated Merlot, the wine was fermented in tank and bottled under crown cap before the sugars had completely fermented, 8 months later.

In counterpoint to the compote-like fruits is a twang of balsamic acid - the trademark volatility that here helps with a neat, sweet/sour tightrope balance. Plum, beetroot, pomegranate, tomato... lots of atypical descriptors making for a truly unique wine that is certainly not for everyone, but fans of Mazel's more challenging output will surely rejoice!

The winemaker: Natural wine legends Gérald & Jocelyne Oustric are the hands and minds behind Le Mazel wines. Gerald is one of a distinct group of winemakers that experienced an epiphany after meeting Marcel Lapierre during the 80s. At the time, he and his father were working family vineyards and selling to a co-op. He pulled out of the co-op and transitioned to organic, realizing his vision of making wine with zero additions. He joined forces with his sister Jocelyne, and Le Mazel was born. Since then they have leased land and experience to emergent winemakers such as Sylvain Bock and Andrea Calek and lead a collaborative relationship with the natural wine producers of the south-central Rhone.