Matthieu Barret Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2016

Domaine du Coulet – Cornas, Northern Rhône

Matthieu Barret is one of the most exciting voices in the modern Rhône Valley. Based in Cornas, he has steadily built a reputation for wines that combine the power and depth of the appellation with remarkable finesse and drinkability. Certified biodynamic since the early 2000s, his vineyards are farmed with meticulous care and minimal intervention, with a focus on biodiversity and soil vitality.

Barret’s winemaking is equally thoughtful – fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, extraction is gentle, and élevage is geared towards preserving purity of fruit and a sense of place. Large, neutral oak and concrete vessels are favoured over new barrels, ensuring that the granite soils of Cornas shine through unadorned. The result is a style that is textural, vibrant, and deeply expressive without ever tipping into heaviness.

Across his range – from the more accessible cuvées under the “Petit Ours” label to the single-site Cornas bottlings – Barret’s wines are consistently fresh, precise, and highly drinkable, while still carrying the structure and longevity that define great Northern Rhône Syrah. He has become a touchstone for a new generation of growers, proving that Cornas can be both powerful and elegant.