Mas Becha, 'Barrique' Rouge, Cotes du Roussillon Villages

A big flavoured and generous wine with dense notes of blueberry and blackcurrant jam highlighted by a touch of vanilla and oak spice, full and opulent.

Producer Note

In 2008, artisan vigneron Charles Perez took over the Mas Bécha estate, located in the Roussillon terroir of the ‘Aspres’, close to the Spanish border. He planted 25 hectares of organic vineyard, nestled in a rich and well preserved biodiverse environment. The vines are planted on three hillsides at elevations of 100 metres above sea level. Charles passionately believes in respecting the environment, he concentrates on the best parcels and terroirs to cultivate Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre vines organically. Mas Bécha has become renowned for its fruit-forward wines with marked freshness and elegance. Each of his cuvées is dedicated to family members and every year a new artist designs the quirky and original labels.

Vintage

In 2017, the mild winter was followed by an early bud-break in spring. The summer was hot and dry, with only a few showers producing 30 millimetres of rainfall, which helped to refresh the vines. As a result of the hot, dry conditions the harvest took place earlier than usual; the healthy fruit achieved excellent phenolic maturity.

Vineyard

The vines are grown in ‘Aspres’ terroir, which means “arid” in Catalan, and this characterises the sun-drenched terroir which is bordered by a landscape of garrigue. The Mas Bécha grapes come from selected parcels, with clay, silt and marble pebble stone soils. The vines are farmed organically; without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Manure and compost is used on the vines from organic matter, which is made on site. The vines are treated with fermented plants, copper and sulphur.

Winemaking

The wine was made following a philosophy of minimal intervention. The grapes underwent cold fermentation with selected yeasts, which lasted for seven days. During the vinification, modern and gentle techniques such as cold soaking were used to extract aromas, colour and structure; no plunging or pumping over took place. A gentle pressing was followed by nine months’ ageing in Bordeaux barrels, which ranged from new to fourth passage of medium toasted oak. 

Tasting Note

Complex, with ripe notes of blueberry and blackcurrant jam, highlighted by a touch vanilla and elegant oak spice. Generous and full underpinned by a refreshing line of strawberry and ripe raspberry freshness. Soft sweet tannins explode with fruit and linger on the finish.

Grape

Syrah 70%, Grenache 15%, Mourvèdre 15%