MAS COMBARÈLA
LANGUEDOC / Terrasses du Larzac
The Mas Combarela estate, a rapidly emerging viticultural venture situated in the renowned Terrasses du Larzac region, is quickly making a name for itself in the world of organic winemaking.
Situated in the picturesque Hérault region, just a stone's throw from the bustling metropolis of Montpellier, the winery boasts 11 hectares of vineyards, each showcasing a diverse array of terroirs, and imbued with its own distinct characteristics. The soil, a harmonious blend of clay-limestone, ruffes and pebbles, imparts a unique depth of flavor to the grapes.
Olivier Faucon initially embarked upon a successful career in the field of marketing and communication, working in some of the most prestigious cities across Europe and Asia. However, in his mid-forties, he and his wife made the bold decision to forsake the trappings of corporate success and instead, pursue their true passion - winemaking.
After an intensive period of study in the hallowed halls of Beaune, where he obtained a BTS in viticulture and oenology, and a stint working alongside some of the most renowned vintners in Burgundy and Languedoc, he founded the Mas Combarèla estate in 2016. The estate is committed to environmentally friendly practices, and was officially certified organic in 2019.
The grapes are grown without recourse to pesticides or synthetic chemicals, and the harvests are conducted entirely by hand, with a strict sorting process that results in small yields. The winemaking process is minimalistic, utilizing minimal inputs,
It is absolutely extraordinary. I have never tasted such beautiful, jewel-bright, ruby cut luminosity from this estate. I want to climb into the glass and absorb it through my skin. The tannins and the fruit are in such perfect harmony that I can’t find where one ends and the other begins. They melt into each other"
“A beautiful, wild stallion of a wine.”
- Jancis Robinson 2020
"Olivier Faucon never ceases to amaze us since his frist vintage. Magnificent reds, of rare intensity without any tannins sticking out, saline finishes. It is the finesse of the grain that impresses here and the aerial perception of the materials. We have been telling you since their first vintage, you have to quickly discover this estate because getting up close to the greats in such a short time will not go unnoticed. A third star in three vintages is not frequent but justified here.”
- Bettane+Desseauve 2022 ★★★
Owner
Region
Terroirs
Farming
Harvest
Size
Grapes Grown
Website
Vineland Rep.
Olivier Faucon
Languedoc
Terrasses du Larzac
Organic
Manual
11 hectares
Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan,
Mourvedre, Syrah, Vermentino, Chenin Blanc
Reach out to confirm your country availability
Media
bettane+desseauve
MAS COMBARÈLA "DES SI ET DES MI BLANC"
Appellation: IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Grape Varieties: 85% Grenache Blanc,5% Carignan Blanc, 10% Vermentino
Terroir: Limestone and clay soils from the Quartenary era (Riss) made of alluvial deposits of the Hérault river which carried cryoclastic limestone gravels and pebbles. Hillside plots gently sloping, with down-flowing winds
Yield: 30 hl / ha
Alcohol: 13.5%
Winemaking: Organic viticulture. Indigenous yeast starter. Hand picked Harvests, at dawn to keep the freshness, direct pressing, cold settling, traditional vinification in thermo-regulated stainless-steel vat. Co-fermentation of the 3 grape varieties.
Aging:8 months mainly in stainless-steel vat, with 10% in oak barrels to enhance the wine’s texture and structure
Notes: Grenache Blanc gives its identity to this cuvée. From 2020 it is blended with a bit of Carignan Blanc and Vermentino which reinforce its freshness and complexity. For gourmet aperitifs and culinary pairings.
92
2020
DECANTER
93
2020
JANCIS R.
MAS COMBARÈLA "DES SI ET DES MI ROSÉ"
Appellation: AOP Languedoc
Grape Varieties: 50% Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 40% Mouvèdre
Terroir: Limestone and clays soils with winds from the Larzac. Mainly lacustrine white limestones Tertiary Era (Lutetian).
Yield: 15 hl / ha
Alcohol: 13%
Winemaking: Organic viticulture. Indigenous yeast starter. Hand picked Harvests, at dawn to keep the freshness, direct pressing, cold settling, traditional vinification in thermo-regulated stainless-steel vat. Co-fermentation of the 3 grape varieties.
Aging: 8 months in stainless-steel vat
Notes: Rosé both for convivial summer moments and as a gastronomic accompaniment all year round, especially with Mediterranean or exotic cuisine. Our personal ally for Asian cuisine that we particularly appreciate, for example with spices and raw fish (Thai curry, sushi, etc.)
90
2020
RVF
MAS COMBARÈLA "DES SI ET DES MI ROUGE"
Appellation: AOP Languedoc
Grape Varieties: 45 % Grenache, 30% Carignan, 15% Syrah, 5% Cinsault, 5% Mourvèdre
Terroir: Limestone and clays soils with winds from the Larzac. 3 different kind of soils : dolomitic limestones (from beginning of the Jurassic Period, secondary era), lacustrine white limestones Tertiary Era (Lutetian), and then hillsides made of alluvial deposits from Hérault river with abundance of pebbles and limestone gravels.
Yield: 15 hl / ha
Alcohol: 14%
Winemaking: Organic viticulture. Indigenous yeast starter. Hand-picked harvests, perfect phenolic maturity, whole destemming, temperature control, gentle vinification in stainless-steel thermoregulated vat. Syrah and carignan : partly vinified using carbonic maceration.
Aging: 8 months mainly in stainless-steel vat, with less than 5% in barrels
Notes: Our fruity pleasure wine with Grenache-dominant fruit, in a typical Languedoc blend. For all circumstances.
92
2020
RVF
93
2020
JANCIS R.
MAS COMBARÈLA "LE CLOS SECRET"
Appellation: IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Grape Variety: 100% Cinsault
Terroir: Old 50 y.o. vines plot hidden in woodlands and garrigues. Soils are made of limestone and clay. Mainly composed of lacustrine white limestones the terroir is very stony. Thyme, laurels, immortal flowers, oak trees, olive trees, and few wild lavenders…surrond our old vines at this splendid setting.
Yield: 15 hl / ha
Alcohol: 14.5%
Winemaking: Organic viticulture. Indigenous yeast starter. Hand-picked harvests, perfect phenolic maturity, whole destemming, temperature control, gentle vinification in stainless-steel thermoregulated vat.
Aging: 12 months in concrete egg
Notes: The finesse of Cinsault in a structured wine version. Identity of grape variety and terroir expression for our greatest pleasure.
94
2020
JANCIS R.
MAS COMBARÈLA "LES VIEUX MAZETS"
Appellation: IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Grape Variety: 100% Carignan
Terroir: Old vines aged 70 years, gobelet shape pruned vines, grown on limestone and clay soils, where Northerly Winds blow . Located on an ancient lacustrine plain from the Tertiary Era (Lutetian, 40 millions years old) there is various types of soils, dominated by lacustrine white limestones. The beautiful scenery is punctuated by lovely old mazets (tiny ancient house in the country
Yield: 25 hl / ha
Alcohol: 14%
Winemaking: Organic viticulture. Indigenous yeast starter. Hand-picked harvests, perfect phenolic maturity, whole destemming, temperature control, gentle vinification in stainless-steel thermoregulated vat.
Aging: 18 months in wooden tuns (large oak barrels) of several wines.
Notes: Carignan, a fabulous grape variety, one of the identities of Languedoc, is showcased solo from our oldest vines.
***
2017
HACHETTE
MAS COMBARÈLA "LUEUR D'ESPAR"
Appellation: IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Grape Variety: 70% Mourvèdre, 20% Carignan, 10% Syrah
Terroir: Clayey-limestone soils and Larzac winds. Mourvèdre was grafted in 2017, it went into production in 2018. It comes from a plot surrounded by trees, on the edge of the woods, exposed to the setting sun. The rows meet 3 different types of soil bringing complexity to the terroir: a flow of white lacustrine limestones from the Tertiary era crosses and mixes with yellowish marls on one side and reddish clays on the other side.
Yield: 25 hl / ha
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Winemaking: Organic viticulture. Indigenous yeast starter. Manual harvest at phenolic maturity, complete destemming, temperature control, gentle vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Long vatting with pumping over during the fermentation phase and some punching down during the infusion phase.
Aging: 30 months aging : in new 500L oak barrel (demi muid)
Notes: New cuvée with a very strong Mourvèdre dominant. Espar being an old local name for this grape variety. Espar is phonetically very close to the french word ‘espoir’ ‘(=hope). And ‘Lueurs’ means glimmers. On summer evenings the vines are sublimated by the soft glimmers of sunsets on their leaves. This wine is part of this spirit, in search of elegance in power, on a spicy frame. Our exceptional wine for special occasions.
93
2018
RVF
95
2018
B+D
MAS COMBARÈLA "ODES AUX IGNORANTS"
Appellation: AOP Terrasses du Larzac
Grape Variety: 50% Syrah, 20% Carignan, 25 % Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre
Terroir: Altitude vineyard at 350m high dominating the Herault Valley, blown by the winds maintanting the freshness. The soils are mainly made of pure dolomitic limestones expressing intense minerality, dating from the beginning of the Jurassic Period (secondary era, about 170 million years old). Very rocky, the roots must go deep to draw their resources.
Yield: 25 hl / ha
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Winemaking: Organic viticulture. Indigenous yeast starter. Manual harvest at phenolic maturity, complete destemming, temperature control, gentle vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel or concrete vats. Long vatting with pumping over during the fermentation phase and some punching down during the infusion phase.
Aging: 24 months aging : half in different oak barrels formats and ages, and half in concrete eggs
Notes: This is our signature wine that offers real aromatic and taste complexity. The name ‘Ode Aux Ignorants’ is a tribute to the graphic novel “Les Ignorants” (“The Initiates” in English). The book relates the story of a new winegrower sharing a year of his life. It made Olivier Faucon realise making wine was a crazy dream, however achievable, even for the winemaking ignorant that he was ! It inspired him and that’s how it all started in 2013, the project giving birth to Mas Combarèla’s first vintage in 2016.
94
2019
JANCIS R.
92
2013
VM
