Khayyâm' Côtes du Rhône 2023 is a natural wine crafted by Mas de Libian, in the Rhône region in France. This red wine is made with 70% Grenache Noir, 15% Mouvèdre and 15% Syrah grapes. The producer states this information
“Khayyâm ” : This cuvee is named in homage to Omar Khayyâm. A Muslim Persian poet and mathematician from the 11th century, he wrote hundreds of quatrains celebrating wine and women. He celebrated a philosophy of carpe diem.
Varieties : 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre et 15% Syrah.
Terroir : Round river rocks on red clay. Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, limited rain, and high winds
Viticulture : Certified Organic and Biodynamic agriculture. Yields: 45 hl/ha. Methods: gobelet pruning for Grenache and Mourvedre and trellising for the Syrah with removal of future shoots to limit yields. Harvest is entirely by hand with very careful sorting in the vineyards.
Vinification : Respectful of biodynamic and limited-intervention wine-making principles. Varieties assembled in tank. 100% de-stemmed. Light crushing. Temperature-regulated fermentation. 15 days of maceration. One pump-over per day, punch-downs only if necessary. Running-off by gravity. Pneumatic pressing. 9 months aging in large oak foudres for 50% of the wine.
Tasting : Of our wines, this one is the most oriental, the spiciest, the warmest. It is thus strongly suggested that you invite this cuvée to your table during the cold winter; it will take care of warming everyone back up. Take your time; you can leave it to meditate in your cellar for a few years. For the more impatient, make sure not to push the wine too much: Kayyâm is a poet, he will need a bit of time to open up (the use of a carafe 2 hours before the meal is an excellent way to do this). Let time pour slowly like wine; life is sweet.
Pairings : Stewed meats, spiced vegetables, mashed potatoes with black truffle.
