Pierre & Antonin Petit Sauvage Rouge 2025

The Pierre & Antonin "Petit Sauvage" Rouge 2025 is a highly distinctive, low-intervention natural wine coming out of the Languedoc region (classified as Vin de France).

The real talking point with this bottle—beyond its vibrant, juicy profile—is the choice of grape and the estate's radical approach to eco-conscious farming.

The Grape: Cabernet Cortis

Instead of traditional Languedoc varieties like Grenache or Syrah, this cuvée is 100% Cabernet Cortis. This is a PIWI variety (a disease-resistant hybrid created by naturally crossing Vitis vinifera with wild American vines). Because the vine is naturally immune to downy and powdery mildew, it requires up to 15 times fewer vineyard treatments than standard organic viticulture, dramatically slashing the estate's tractor emissions and water usage.

Vinification & Style

Pierre Caizergues and Antonin Bonnet handle this fruit with a purely hands-off philosophy in the cellar:

• Fermentation: 100% native yeasts, zero additives, and no added sulfites (sans soufre).

• Process: The grapes are destemmed, crushed, and undergo a short 10-day maceration in raw concrete tanks to preserve maximum freshness and primary fruit, followed by brief aging.

• Profile: It leans dark and expressive. Expect an explosive, bright nose of wild blackberry, black cherry, and cassis, accented by subtle hints of thyme, eucalyptus, or pine. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, remarkably fluid, and crunchy, driven by soft, supple tannins and a refreshing core.

Packaging & Philosophy

The estate goes all-in on reducing its carbon footprint. The bottle is sealed with a natural wax dip rather than an aluminum or plastic capsule, using the lightest glass on the market (around 370g) sourced less than 80km from the vineyard. The labels are made from alternative recycled fibers like hemp and sugar cane, and the corks are harvested from regional forests in the Roussillon.

Pro Tip: Serve this with a slight chill—around 14–16°C (57–60°F)—to let the bright, juicy nature of the Cabernet Cortis really pop. It makes a fantastic, unpretentious companion for casual charcuterie boards, grilled meats, or casual wood-fired pizzas.