Domaine du Coulet

Matthieu Barret is a Biodynamic-certified vigneron based in the high hills in Cornas, North Rhône. After taking over the family’s vineyard (planted by his Grandfather just after WWII), Matthieu converted to organics (Ecocert-certified) in 2001 and biodynamics (Biodyvin-certified) in 2002.

With a goal to make “100% grape wines” Matthieu makes his wines in a sympathetic manner that allows him to express site above all else. The vineyard is based on very steep, very old eroded granite soils on a base of Jurassic limestone and clay marl at a peak elevation of 350m AMSL. All wines are hand-harvested, destemmed by hand, fermented in concrete ovoid tanks and eggs and aged in aged oak puncheons. The wines are never filtered or fined nor are they racked (which would generally necessitate additional sulphur) – so always benefit from decanting or a little time in the glass.

The Domaine du Coulet labelled wines are from 100% estate fruit in Cornas. All 100% Syrah and all AOC Cornas: Brise Cailloux is Syrah from degraded granite and clay-silt, matured for 18 months. Billes Noires is a Syrah from degraded granite also, but from a particularly mineralic lieux-dit called “Les Arlettes”, matured for 24 months. GORE is their top wine, from degraded granite soils (called “Gore” in local dialect), produced only in select years and only bottled in magnum.