Mas Coutelou "5SO' VdF 2024

Press 4 Red • August 2025 Direct Press Selection

Jeff Coutelou was one of the first to be certified organic in France — back in 1987! His neighbors were not accepting of his methods. When he planted hedges to help block their chemical sprays from coming into his vines, they burned them down. Several times, and fairly recently. Today he continues to take on work that many others do not have the patience or commitment for, like restoring obscure, nearly forgotten varieties to combat the effects of global warming; and planting thousands of olive, almond, fig, and fruit trees for future generations. Coutelou is hardcore about not using sulfur. None of his wines have sulfur added and haven't for quite some time. 

"Formidable 5S0" is 100% Cinsault (5S0 = cinq + so) only made in years when the harvest conditions are suitable. The last vintage was 2018. Typically you see winemakers doing that with their 'reserve' wines that are typically more powerful and spend longer in barrel, but this is quite the opposite: a light 10.63% abv wine that is delicate and ethereal. However, the same intention and care goes into this wine as others' reserve bottlings, but the results here are subtle, elegant and beautiful instead of rich and powerful. Red plum, raspberry, rosewater, and hibiscus with a cooling finish. Lively, lovely; fantastic. Jonathan Kemp