A Trio of Domaines Paul Mas Wines
In the South of France, the Languedoc wine region is all about the blends. Almost sixty different white and red grape varietals are listed for AOC and IGP wine production. A fascinating melting pot of grapes, with the potential to yield very interesting wines, is catching the world’s attention.
Experimentation has led to an overwhelming percentage of Languedoc wines being made outside of AOC regulations, 73% of wines produced are in the IGP category. This doesn’t mean the wines are inferior, in fact, it’s a reflection of winemakers trying to discover and define their region, once known as France’s “wine lake”, which accounted for more than one-third of all the wine grapes grown in France. But today, after a painful reduction in the number of vineyards to boost quality, the Languedoc is focusing on the future.
Domaines Paul Mas, a family estate in Montagnac, is being redefined by fourth generation winemaker Jean-Claude. His philosophy, “Luxe Rural”, is an appreciation of the simple pleasures of life, of which wine is the key component. The domaine has expanded beyond the original family estate, adding nine hillside estates to its roster of local growers that contribute to the Paul Mas brand. Jean-Claude has transitioned to sustainable viticulture, practicing eco-friendly winemaking. The Domaine has several different tiers of wines, most of which are exported throughout the world. His efforts have not been in vain, the 2015 Drinks International sommelier poll ranked Domaines Paul Mas #16 of the top 50 most admired wine brands.
I had the opportunity to sample three of his wines recently, and here are my impressions.
The Côté Mas Sud de France Rosé Aurore 2015, (SRP $10.99), a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Consult, and 20% Syrah, is a pale salmon color, with a fruity nose and soft palate of candied cherry and strawberry fruit. Well-balanced, low alcohol, and good acidity, this rosé goes down smooth and easy. Meant to be drunk young, it’s a simple wine, made from free-run juice, vinified and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Aged on its lees for 40 days in concrete vats, it retains a very fruity character, and best of all, it's sold in a 1 L bottle!
Château Paul Mas Belluguette 2013, (SRP $19.99), a blend of 40% Vermentino, 30% Roussanne, 20% Grenache, and 10% Viognier, is a deep lemon color, with an aromatic nose. Tropical fruits of mango, melon, and pineapple are accented by yeasty and vanilla notes. Rich and aromatic upon the palate, it makes a great first impression, unfortunately the finish falls off quickly. It’s not for lack of trying, there’s a lot of winemaking effort going on. Each varietal is vinified separately, fermented in oak barrels for one month, with half the blend going through malolactic fermentation. Finally, the wine is aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels for four months.
Château Paul Mas Clos des Mûres 2014, (SRP $19.99), a blend of 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 5% Mourvedre, is a deep purple wine, with aromas of blackberries, violet, and dusty cocoa. Full-bodied and fruity, it tastes of a tangy, dark berry tart, with cedar notes. Although it’s higher in alcohol at 14.5%, it’s has a lightness of being, with mild tannins. Just like the white blend, the fruit falls off fairly quickly on the finish. The grape vines, between 18-35 years old, yield wine that is aged for nine months in a mixture of French and American oak barrels. A pleasant wine, it’s best with food, pairing well with beef, lamb, or game.
Simple wines, they are meant to be drunk fairly young. Jean-Paul is committed to the future of winemaking in the Languedoc, authentic and refined blends that reflect the character of this region.
In the South of France, the Languedoc wine region is all about the blends. Almost sixty different white and red grape varietals are listed for AOC and IGP wine production. A fascinating melting pot of grapes, with the potential to yield very interesting wines, is catching the world’s attention.
Experimentation has led to an overwhelming percentage of Languedoc wines being made outside of AOC regulations, 73% of wines produced are in the IGP category. This doesn’t mean the wines are inferior, in fact, it’s a reflection of winemakers trying to discover and define their region, once known as France’s “wine lake”, which accounted for more than one-third of all the wine grapes grown in France. But today, after a painful reduction in the number of vineyards to boost quality, the Languedoc is focusing on the future.
Domaines Paul Mas, a family estate in Montagnac, is being redefined by fourth generation winemaker Jean-Claude. His philosophy, “Luxe Rural”, is an appreciation of the simple pleasures of life, of which wine is the key component. The domaine has expanded beyond the original family estate, adding nine hillside estates to its roster of local growers that contribute to the Paul Mas brand. Jean-Claude has transitioned to sustainable viticulture, practicing eco-friendly winemaking. The Domaine has several different tiers of wines, most of which are exported throughout the world. His efforts have not been in vain, the 2015 Drinks International sommelier poll ranked Domaines Paul Mas #16 of the top 50 most admired wine brands.
I had the opportunity to sample three of his wines recently, and here are my impressions.
The Côté Mas Sud de France Rosé Aurore 2015, (SRP $10.99), a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Consult, and 20% Syrah, is a pale salmon color, with a fruity nose and soft palate of candied cherry and strawberry fruit. Well-balanced, low alcohol, and good acidity, this rosé goes down smooth and easy. Meant to be drunk young, it’s a simple wine, made from free-run juice, vinified and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Aged on its lees for 40 days in concrete vats, it retains a very fruity character, and best of all, it's sold in a 1 L bottle!
Château Paul Mas Belluguette 2013, (SRP $19.99), a blend of 40% Vermentino, 30% Roussanne, 20% Grenache, and 10% Viognier, is a deep lemon color, with an aromatic nose. Tropical fruits of mango, melon, and pineapple are accented by yeasty and vanilla notes. Rich and aromatic upon the palate, it makes a great first impression, unfortunately the finish falls off quickly. It’s not for lack of trying, there’s a lot of winemaking effort going on. Each varietal is vinified separately, fermented in oak barrels for one month, with half the blend going through malolactic fermentation. Finally, the wine is aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels for four months.
Château Paul Mas Clos des Mûres 2014, (SRP $19.99), a blend of 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache, and 5% Mourvedre, is a deep purple wine, with aromas of blackberries, violet, and dusty cocoa. Full-bodied and fruity, it tastes of a tangy, dark berry tart, with cedar notes. Although it’s higher in alcohol at 14.5%, it’s has a lightness of being, with mild tannins. Just like the white blend, the fruit falls off fairly quickly on the finish. The grape vines, between 18-35 years old, yield wine that is aged for nine months in a mixture of French and American oak barrels. A pleasant wine, it’s best with food, pairing well with beef, lamb, or game.
Simple wines, they are meant to be drunk fairly young. Jean-Paul is committed to the future of winemaking in the Languedoc, authentic and refined blends that reflect the character of this region.