2012 Mas de Daumas Gassac, Rouge, Library Release, St Guilhem-le-Désert, Cité d’Aniane, Languedoc-Roussillon
Critics reviews
75.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Merlot, 4.4% Tannat, 3.9% Cabernet Franc, 1.8% Malbec, 1.8% Pinot Noir, 7% rare varieties.
This has become more meaty alongside the black fruit but also has become fragrant with a herbal garrigue scent. Still firm but more chalky than dense. Very dark-flavoured on the finish and rather closed for now.
Drink 2019 - 2027
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com (December 2017)
Like the 2013, this was not a notably ripe Mas de Daumas Gassac, but it's an outstanding vintage nonetheless, thanks to its aromatic finesse, complexity, and fine-sewn flavour contours. Black fruits are joined by raspberry, sweet tobacco leaf and fine leather. The concentration is impressive, and vibrant fruit-saturated acidity makes for a highly energetic, almost athletic style.
Drink 2018 - 2027
Andrew Jefford, Decanter.com (April 2018)
About this WINE
Mas de Daumas Gassac
Famously described as the ‘First Growth of the Languedoc’, Mas De Daumas Gassac remains unique in the region.
The world-famous red is an intriguing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon along with a mix of indigenous and more unusual varieties from the south of France, such as Grenache, Cinsualt and Tempranillo. Mas De Daumas Gassac Blanc is a similarly fascinating blend of grape varieties, with Chardonnay and Viognier taking centre stage. Lauded across the wine world, not for nothing is this Domaine named the Lafite of the Languedoc.
Languedoc-Roussillon
Over the last 25 years, the fortunes of Languedoc-Rousillon have been transformed largely due to the introduction of the Vin de Pays classification in 1979. This led to extensive replanting on more suitable sites, a drastic reduction in permitted yields and, crucially, reducing the dependence of red wines on the ubiquitous Carignan grape.
The new classification enabled producers not only to experiment with other grape varieties, but also to pick up the gauntlet thrown down by the New World – to give the customers what they wanted, namely clearly-labelled international varietals like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Despite a sometimes deserved reputation for its contributions to the European wine lake, this exciting region continues to see a flow of investment from the Bordelais and others, which has enabled the evolution of the qualitative pyramid to continue. Perhaps the most striking improvements have been seen in Minervois La Livinière and Pic Saint Loup, but not far behind are the wines of St.Chinian and Cabardès.
Regardless of the financial influx and the wonderful terroir of the different appellations, the increase in quality is also allied to some extraordinarily-gifted winemakers, including Jean-Luc Terrier and Jean-Louis Denois.
Other Varieties
There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.
When is a wine ready to drink?
We provide drinking windows for all our wines. Alongside the drinking windows there is a bottle icon and a maturity stage. Bear in mind that the best time to drink a wine does also depend on your taste.
Not ready
These wines are very young. Whilst they're likely to have lots of intense flavours, their acidity or tannins may make them feel austere. Although it isn't "wrong" to drink these wines now, you are likely to miss out on a lot of complexity by not waiting for them to mature.
Ready - youthful
These wines are likely to have plenty of fruit flavours still and, for red wines, the tannins may well be quite noticeable. For those who prefer younger, fruitier wines, or if serving alongside a robust meal, these will be very enjoyable. If you choose to hold onto these wines, the fruit flavours will evolve into more savoury complexity.
Ready - at best
These wines are likely to have a beautiful balance of fruit, spice and savoury flavours. The acidity and tannins will have softened somewhat, and the wines will show plenty of complexity. For many, this is seen as the ideal time to drink and enjoy these wines. If you choose to hold onto these wines, they will become more savoury but not necessarily more complex.
Ready - mature
These wines are likely to have plenty of complexity, but the fruit flavours will have been almost completely replaced by savoury and spice notes. These wines may have a beautiful texture at this stage of maturity. There is lots to enjoy when drinking wines at this stage. Most of these wines will hold in this window for a few years, though at the very end of this drinking window, wines start to lose complexity and decline.
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Description
75.6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5.5% Merlot, 4.4% Tannat, 3.9% Cabernet Franc, 1.8% Malbec, 1.8% Pinot Noir, 7% rare varieties.
This has become more meaty alongside the black fruit but also has become fragrant with a herbal garrigue scent. Still firm but more chalky than dense. Very dark-flavoured on the finish and rather closed for now.
Drink 2019 - 2027
Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com (December 2017)
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