2020 Pierre Graffeuille et Matthieu Dumarcher Odyssée

Odyssée 2020 is a rare cross‑regional collaboration between Bordeaux’s Médoc and the Southern Rhône, crafted by Pierre Graffeuille, director of the legendary Château Léoville Las Cases, and Rhône artisan winemaker Matthieu Dumarcher. This organically grown red marries the power and structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the charm and generosity of Grenache, elevated by a touch of Carignan. Produced in tiny quantities—maximum 8,000 bottles in strong vintages—it offers the soul of two great French regions in one remarkably refined cuvée.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Odyssée 2020 shows a deep, granate red hue with an almost opaque core and vibrant rims, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The bouquet is immediately expressive and exotic: layered notes of cumin, star anise and cardamom rise from the glass, followed by waves of ripe dark plums, warm cassis and blackberry conserve. With a little air, more complexity emerges—dark chocolate shavings, touches of tapenade, dried lavender and a subtle, polished oak spice from its time in French barrels. On the palate, the wine is full‑bodied and intensely flavored, packed with concentrated black and blue fruits framed by firm yet rounded tannins. The Médoc Cabernet brings linear structure, graphite and cassis, while the Southern Rhône Grenache and Carignan add juiciness, spice and a generous, velvety mid‑palate. A vibrant, well‑integrated freshness keeps it precise rather than heavy, carrying into a very long, persistent finish with a distinctive peppery kick. Odyssée 2020 is already impressive in its youth, but its structure and concentration suggest a long life ahead—cellaring for 10–25 years (or longer in optimal conditions) will reward patience with even greater complexity and harmony.

Production
Odyssée is born from an unusual yet inspired union of terroirs: Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the gravelly, well‑drained soils of the Médoc in Bordeaux, and Grenache and Carignan from the sun‑drenched, stony vineyards of the Southern Rhône. All vineyards are farmed 100% organically, with a strong emphasis on low yields to maximize intensity and purity of fruit. Grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness, parcel by parcel, ensuring each variety contributes its best character to the final blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Grenache and 10% Carignan. In the cellar, traditional vinification is combined with precision: careful sorting, temperature‑controlled fermentations and gentle extractions to preserve fruit finesse while building structure. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, with the wood meticulously integrated so that it supports, rather than overwhelms, the vibrant Rhône fruit and the Médoc‑like backbone.

Food & Serving
This is a versatile yet serious gastronomic red, ideal for richly flavored dishes. Pair it with roasted lamb with herbs, slow‑braised beef, duck with black olives, game birds, or hearty Provençal stews like daube. It also complements aged hard cheeses, grilled vegetables with tapenade, and dishes featuring Mediterranean spices. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for best expression. Decanting for 1–2 hours in its youth helps open up the exotic spice and dark fruit layers; older bottles (10+ years) will benefit from a gentle, shorter decant primarily to remove sediment.

Producer
The Odyssée project was created in 2015 by two friends and acclaimed winemakers: Pierre Graffeuille, long‑time director of Château Léoville Las Cases in Saint‑Julien, and Rhône‑based vigneron Matthieu Dumarcher, known for his meticulous organic practices and terroir‑driven reds. Together, they conceived Odyssée as a vinous journey between two of France’s greatest regions, combining Médoc Cabernet’s classicism with the warmth and generosity of Southern Rhône varieties. Produced in very limited quantities and farmed organically from the outset, the wine has quickly earned a reputation among insiders for its originality, depth and age‑worthy structure, standing as a distinctive, modern reference for cross‑regional French blends.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.