Mas de Daumas Gassac

2009 was hot in the middle of summer, but the Gassac water-table had been well nourished in the Spring and the vines did not have to struggle too much. The Guiberts, pre et fils, have no hesitation in lauding the wine as a worthy companion, when mature, to the 2000, the 1988 and the legendary 1978. Why? Because the conditions allowed ripe fruit and soft tannins whilst not for a moment forsaking the virtues of balance, structure and length. Small grapes with thick skins are reliable qualitative precursors, it seems.

The Cabernet dominates, as always, with the supporting cast made up of Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Tempranillo to name but a few. The undulating vineyard is protected by scrub and garrigue, both informing the distinctive taste and adding a real sense of place. The Cabernet is quite reticent at the moment, its tannins primes inter pares.. the latent fruit character will emerge triumphantly after bottling and slowly but surely come into its own. Peonies, wild berries, sousbois and spice (the wine has seen 16 months of new barrique) are the dominant notes at present; but the precise descriptors will evolve as much as the wine over time, taking on even greater complexity and harmony.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

The red is wonderfully aromatic, cassis and mulberries, its smorgasbord of grape varieties captured in a spicy complexity, its fundamental ripeness affording a rich and velvety mouth feel. A Vin De Gard, no doubt, but already approachable, such is its silky charm.

Super ripe, dense fruit, plum, smoke, scorched earth, lavender.  There is a hot, dark centre to this wine, but lots of perfume and freshness surrounding it on the nose. Lovely soft texture on the palate, absolutely seamless, with no edges at all, but balanced by fresh, integrated acidity. Reams of ripe red and black fruits on the palate with plum leading cassis in a dance all the way to the fine, delicate finish.
Fine Wine Team

2011 was relatively-speaking a cooler year in the Aniane Valley, and the wine has greater freshness than sometimes, greater purity and perhaps a greater sense of terroir. The fruit ripened nicely, if later, and the tannins are finely drawn, not for a moment forsaking the virtues of balance, structure and length. Small grapes with thick skins are reliable qualitative precursors, it seems.
 
The Cabernet dominates, as always, with the supporting cast made up of Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Pinot Noir, Neboilo, Dolcetto and Tempranillo to name but a few. Peonies, wild berries, sousbois and spice (the wines has seen 16 months of new barrique) are the dominant notes at present; but the precise descriptors will evolve as much as the wine over time, taking on even greater complexity and harmony.
Simon Field MW, Berrys' Southern France Buyer


The dominant Cabernet Sauvignon in this blend leads to lovely rich dark fruits and a pleasing sense of style. However, for me the real interest comes from the other varietals that are blended with this, they add real interest to the palate, with meaty, smoky characters coming through and a powerful structure that clearly indicates this will age very well indeed. Mas de Daumas Gassac is a wine with a big reputation and in 2011 it clearly demonstrates why it is in such demand!
Matthew Tipping, Fine Wine Sales Manager - 29-Nov-2012

The white wine of Mas de Daumas Gassac is a blend of mainly Chardonnay, Viognier and Petit Manseng; the wine is beautifully perfumed, a hymn of white flowers and peach kernels; then the palate, textured and rich, wonderfully expressive and seamlessly constructed.

The domaine of Mas de Daumas Gassac, famously described as' The First Growth of the Languedoc' by no less a luminary than Hugh Johnson , is located just to the north-west of Montpellier.The advice given in 1972 to the owner Aimé Guibert by geologist Henri Enjalbert and Bordeaux oenologist Emile Peynaud, was that both the soils and the climate here were perfect to reproduce the outstanding quality of the wines of the Médoc and in particular to the cultivation of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, hitherto a virtual stranger this far East. History has proved them to be correct!