2022 Pierre Graffeuille et Matthieu Dumarcher Odyssée

The Odyssée 2022 by Pierre Graffeuille and Matthieu Dumarcher is anything but a classic Rhône or Bordeaux. This is a wine that deliberately pushes boundaries and brings two worlds together. Juicy, layered, and with a beautiful tension between power and elegance. A wine that makes an immediate impression but continues to captivate in the glass.

2022 Odyssey Pierre Graffeuille & Matthieu Dumarcher

Odyssée is a special project in which Pierre Graffeuille and Matthieu Dumarcher breathe new life into a historical style. Since 2015, they have been working with the concept of the old Bordeaux Hermitagé, in which Rhône grapes were added to Bordeaux to create more depth and richness.

The 2022 is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc and 49% Grenache with 11% Carignan from the Southern Rhône. This combination creates a unique balance between structure, ripe fruit, and finesse. The result is a wine that effortlessly combines power and suppleness with tension, elegance, and plenty of juice.

Taste profile of Odyssée

In the glass, the wine displays a deep ruby red color. The nose is intense and layered, with aromas of ripe cherries, blackcurrants, and raspberries, complemented by spicy notes and a light earthy undertone. There is also a fresh lift in the aromatics, keeping the whole lively and precise.

On the palate, the 2022 Odyssée is fleshy and juicy, with a beautiful balance between power and finesse. The Cabernet Sauvignon provides structure and length, while the Grenache brings roundness and ripe fruit. The Carignan adds a subtle spiciness and extra tension. The finish is harmonious, fresh, and persistent, with elegant tannins and refined drinkability.

The Growing Season

The year 2022 was characterized by warm and dry conditions in both the Médoc and the Rhône. In the Rhône, vibrant clay-limestone soils and organic practices produced wines of both concentration and balance. In the Médoc, the Cabernet grapes benefited from excellent ripening conditions.

It is precisely that combination of two different origins that makes this vintage so interesting. The synergy between both regions yields a wine with ripe fruit, freshness, suppleness, and structure. Powerful, yet beautifully balanced.

A wine between Bordeaux and the Rhône

What distinguishes Odyssée is the interplay between the power and energy of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Médoc and the richness and finesse of Grenache from the Southern Rhône. As a result, this wine cannot easily be confined to a single classic style. It has something of the structure of Bordeaux, but also the juicy and spicy character of the Rhône.

That makes Odyssée not only original, but also particularly appealing to enthusiasts seeking a wine with its own signature. Not a heavy, ponderous interpretation, but rather a wine with depth, tension, and elegance.

Vinification of the Odyssée 2022

The grapes from both regions are vinified separately and then brought together in the final blend. Through this process, the characteristics of each origin are preserved, resulting in a multi-layered wine.

The focus is on precision and balance, where extraction and aging are tuned so that both structure and fruit come into their own. The result is a wine with a clear identity, in which tension, fruit, and elegance come together.

Food and Wine Pairings

This wine is versatile at the table. Think of grilled red meat, lamb dishes, stews, or dishes with Mediterranean herbs. It also comes into its own with roasted vegetables, eggplant, mushrooms, or a spicy ratatouille.

Drinking advice for the Odyssée

The 2022 Odyssée is already beautifully accessible, but has sufficient structure to develop further for a few more years. Ideal drinking window: 2024 to 2032. Serving suggestion: 15-17°C.