Bruno Duchene "Odin" Rouge Cote Vermeille 2024

Press 4 Red • June/July 2026 Direct Press Selection

Bruno Duchêne has been surrounded by natural wine for most of his life, growing up in the Loire Valley as a neighbor of the Puzelat family, and later working for Fred Cossard in Burgundy. Bruno's first career was in wild mushroom sales and distribution in Burgundy. However, he quit his job and bought vines from the revered natural winemaker Alain Castex in Banyuls in 2002 after he visited a few years earlier, completely infatuated with the region. It is a tourist destination on the southern coast of France near Spain, with signage in French and Catalan, and dramatic cliffs plunging into the Mediterranean. While vineyard work in general is difficult in the steep, rocky plots he owns, the constant winds prevent common mildew issues from occurring. This means organic farming is much easier, and he rarely sprays sulfur and never uses copper, two organic chemicals that winegrowers have to use in most climates but are still best in small doses.

"Odin" is a blend of Tempranillo, Carignan, and Syrah in equal parts, from a single parcel planted on schist. Grapes are destemmed, aged in a combo of old barrel and amphora, with zero sulfur added. Tempranillo, from nearby Spain, is certainly not part of the local Côtes Catalanes AOC, but many are finding it better suited to the changing climate. This wine certainly makes a convincing argument for Tempranillo in the Roussilon. There is a sumptuous, dark richness but it retains some delicate bright overtones. Spicy, piquant, molé notes and chewy tannins make this a bigger red for grilling and pairing with charred meats or vegetables. Jonathan Kemp