Val de Combrès
L'Ivresse 2021

  • Region Luberon, Southern Rhône, France
  • Grapes Cabernet Franc & Syrah
  • Vineyard Biodynamic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
  • ABV 13.50%
  • Size 750ml

Quantity

About the Wine

Another trademark juice-bomb red, this time using the unlikely blend of Cabernet Franc and Syrah, the former grape a real anomaly in this part of France. As is Val's way with these 'vins de soif', there is a lightness of touch on display that harnesses every last drop of vibrant fruit character.

The Cabernet Franc is de-stemmed and macerated, keeping those overtly vegetal flavours in check, and the Syrah sees one week of carbonic maceration in whole bunches. Being the thicker-skinned of the two grapes this method keeps the heavy tannins at bay in favour of its potential for deep, lip-smacking blackcurrant fruit. The Cabernet Franc contributes a green, herbal fragrance, plush sheen and some real intrigue. A wine that shows itself best when lightly chilled.

About Val de Combrès

Valentin Létoquart’s story is one that we’re hearing more and more in our exploration of small producers with principled approaches. Up until 2013, Val de Combrès first vintage, he had been growing grapes and supplying to a large Rhône co-operative. Whilst this can provide a producer with a reliable source of income, for Valentin it became too much to see his thoughtful, at this point organic vineyard work essentially going to waste when the harvested grapes were thrown in with those of other growers working on a more industrial level, with chemical herbicides and pesticides, poor soil health and barren, monocultural vineyards. Such was his inspiration to take the plunge and go it alone - we’re so glad he did.

Valentin now tends just under 8 hectares around the villages of Oppède and Ménerbes at the southeasterly stretch of the Rhône valley, in Luberon. For the most part, his wines stand apart from the traditional style of the AOC here, helped in part by the elevation of the vines. They sit in harder to work plots that rise towards the hills that flank the south of the region and serve as a border with Provence. They are remote and secluded, mainly surrounded by forest and away from the low-lying plains - perfect for Val to carry out his meticulous biodynamic vineyard work, utilising plant-based treatments and plowing by horse. 

Fittingly, in the cellar there is an appropriate lightness of touch; fermentations are carried out in concrete and steel vessels using the native yeasts, sometimes in whole bunches with carbonic maceration, or by de-stemming and gently macerating the grapes. Both are methods that avoid a heavy extraction. They are generally bottled the spring following harvest and with no additions whatsoever. The resulting wines are bright, exuberant and often explosively fruit-driven, particularly in the case of his vibrant, juicy reds. Despite his exacting standards in the vineyard, when it comes to the wine itself, Val transmits a sense of fun and playfulness - each radiates charm and an infectious energy that really draws you in. Val de Combrès are wines for good times.

Find out more about Val de Combrès

More from Val de Combrès

Val de Combrès
La Lumière 2021

One of Val's deliciously light and juicy reds, in a style he refers to as 'glouglou plus' - meaning there is a wealth of explosive, pure fruit character, but not to the loss of structure in the wine. Sumptuous black cherry fruit and spice jostle together with very light grip from the dialled-back tannins. A playful, well-rounded bouncing ball of a wine with no shortage of charm. Best served chilled. Find out more.

  • Region Luberon, Southern Rhône, France
  • Grapes Carignan & Grenache
  • Vineyard Biodynamic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
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Val de Combrès
Les Quilles de Joie 2020

Val's nod to the classical style of Luberon and the only of his wines to see time ageing in barrel, for a more structured, rustic expression. Despite this more old-school treatment, the trademark vibrancy is barely concealed beneath the surface, a burst of spicy cherry and raspberry is reined in with developed notes of tobacco and sweet leather. Find out more.

  • Region Luberon, Southern Rhône, France
  • Grapes Syrah & Grenache
  • Vineyard Biodynamic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
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Val de Combrès
Les Vacances 2022

Val's lightest, juiciest red - lightness and purity of fruit is the goal here. Bountiful cherry and raspberry fruits with a confected quality and anise-like spices. A fluid wine with pronounced luminosity and just so much fun to drink - 'the grenadine of the estate' as Val likes to call it. Find out more.

  • Region Luberon, Southern Rhône, France
  • Grapes Grenache
  • Vineyard Biodynamic
  • Cellar Fermented with native yeasts, unfiltered & unfined, no additional sulphites
£22

Quantity