The Hedonistic Taster | № 34 | Chateau Paul Mas

The Hedonistic Taster | № 34 | Chateau Paul Mas – Languedoc, FR.

by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne + Champagne ML

A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.

" data-orig-size="289,175" sizes="(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" data-image-title="tastevin" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=700" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=700?w=289" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2016/04/10/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-1/imgres-4/" alt="" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg 289w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=150 150w" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13244" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=700?w=289" />

“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer

Today’s Tasting: Chateau Paul Mas | Languedoc, FR.

Luxe Rural…

I’m moving beyond Burgundy and bubbles today to take on a favorite producer from the Languedoc region of France, Jean-Claude Mas of Chateau Paul Mas.

Yes, I’ve featured Jean-Claude’s wines from his eponymous Les Domaines Paul Mas earlier. I find Jean-Claude compelling for a number of reasons, most notably his commitment to “New Languedoc,” viz., producing sulphur-free and/or low-sulphite wines utilizing sustainable practices (Terra Vitis), and single-vineyard and estate expressions of diverse terroir. Most notably, his wines offer both quality and affordability, a rare combination.

The wines spotlighted here from Chateau Paul Mas comprise two estates: the Mas family castle and adjoining 25-ha. vineyard in Conas, near the sub-region of Pézenas in southeastern France. The name ‘Pézenas’ derives from the Latin word piscenis, meaning ‘fishpond, ‘ as an ancient legend told of a fish pond behind the chateau.

The second source, a 85-ha. vineyard in Nicole near Sète, sits a mere 30-minutes from the Mediterranean Sea.

Located between the villages of Montagnac and Sète, the south-facing, 27-acre Clos des Mûres vineyard in the Domaines de Nicole estate is surrounded by wild blackberry (mûres). bushesThe Syrah vines are between 25- and 35-year old, the Grenache 30-year old and the Mourvèdre 18-year old. The soil type is clay and limestone with fossils and limestone rocks.

" aria-describedby="gallery-17966-11-18056" data-orig-size="350,1094" sizes="(max-width: 48px) 100vw, 48px" data-comments-opened="1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasclosdesmuresbottle-e1517176051792.png" height="150" width="48" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasclosdesmuresbottle-e1517176051792.png?w=96" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2018/01/29/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-34-chateau-paul-mas-languedoc-fr/chpaulmasclosdesmuresbottle/" data-image-title="Ch Paul Mas Clos des Mures" alt="" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasclosdesmuresbottle-e1517176051792.png?w=48&h;=150 48w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasclosdesmuresbottle-e1517176051792.png?w=96 96w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasclosdesmuresbottle-e1517176051792.png?w=272" /> Chateau Paul Mas 2015 Clos des Mures, Coteaux du Languedoc.

Wine: Château Paul Mas Clos des Mûres

Vintage: 2015

Alcohol: 14.5%

Suggested Retail: $19.99

Producer Specs: Syrah 83%, Grenache 12%, and Mourvèdre 5%.

“The south-facing, 27-acre Clos des Mûres vineyard in the Domaines de Nicole estate is located between the villages of Montagnac and Sète, and surrounded by wild blackberry (mûres) bushes.

The wine is aged for nine months in French oak barrels (Seguin Moreau, François Frères) and American (Seguin Moreau). 30% new oak barrels, 35% one-year-old oak barrels, 35% two-year-old oak barrel.”

TASTING NOTES

Robe: Porphyry robe.

Nose: Black fruit, florals, baking spice.

Palate: Black currant, blackberry, cocoa, spice, with hint of minerality. Medium body, pronounced tannins, food-friendly, age-worthy. Another high value wine.

Rating: 90

The Chateau Paul Mas Belluguette vineyard in Languedoc is predominantly limestone with gravel.

" aria-describedby="gallery-17966-12-18055" data-orig-size="350,879" sizes="(max-width: 60px) 100vw, 60px" data-comments-opened="1" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasbelluguettebotnv-e1517176040458.jpg" height="150" width="60" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasbelluguettebotnv-e1517176040458.jpg?w=119" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2018/01/29/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-34-chateau-paul-mas-languedoc-fr/chpaulmasbelluguettebotnv/" data-image-title="Ch Pau lMas Belluguette" alt="" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasbelluguettebotnv-e1517176040458.jpg?w=60&h;=150 60w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasbelluguettebotnv-e1517176040458.jpg?w=120 120w" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/chpaulmasbelluguettebotnv-e1517176040458.jpg?w=338" /> Chateau Paul Mas 2016 Belluguette, Languedoc received 90 pts. in 2017 Wine Spectator.

Wine: Château Paul Mas Belluguette

Vintage: 2016

Alcohol: 14%

Suggested Retail: $19.99

Producer Specs: Vermentino 40%, Roussanne 30%, Grenache 20%, Viognier 10%.

“The Belluguette vineyard is predominantly limestone with gravel. Destemming, skin contact and cold settling at 46°F. Each grape variety is vinified separately – the fermentation takes place in oak barrels for one month in between 60°F–64°F. 50% of the blend goes through malolactic fermentation.

The final wine is then aged in oak barrels for four months (2/3 in French barrels and 1/3 in American oak).”

TASTING NOTES

Robe: Deep lemon robe.

Nose: Lush yellow and tropical fruits, slight back note of vanilla.

Palate: Rich tropical and yellow fruits carry through on the bouche. Medium body, balanced acids, tannins; full finish. Surprising complex for the price.

Rating: 90

Link here for more on Chateau Paul Mas.

Link here for more Hedonistic Taster.

Always great to hear from you in the comments below, and on social media.

Cheers!