Vin de Pays
Since their birth almost forty years ago, Vins de pays (‘country wines’) have become popular both in France and abroad and enjoy particular success in Britain. Intended to be ‘easy to understand and to drink’, these wines represent the second rung in the ladder of French wine classification, being superior to Vin de Table but below the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Vin Délimité de Qualité Superieure (VDQS)
Bottle
£14.65
Bottle 12 x 75cl 5cs
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Bottle
£18.55
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Case price (Bottle 6 x 75cl)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 25cs
Bottle
£62.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 40cs
Bottle
£70.00
Bottle
£70.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
Bottle
£70.00
Bottle 6 x 75cl 5cs
The estate planted its first vines in 1974, in the unique and gentle climate of Aniane just to the north-west of Montpellier. Here they identified a combination of Burgundian terroir and an extraordinary micro-climate, dominated by gentle garrigue slopes and cool underground springs. This is now considered the finest terroir in the South of France, and led to the challenge to reproduce the quality of the best Châteaux of Médoc in the Languedoc.
Many of the leading Languedoc estates have now established themselves here, but it was Mas De Daumas Gassac who pioneered the production of world-class wine in the region, and can still be considered its finest producer.
When Aimé Guibert retired the gauntlet passed to his sons Samuel and Roman, who have proved more than a match for the challenge.
Upon appearance, The 2014 Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge displays a deep ruby core with a purple hue. The dominating Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is evident on the nose with aromas of ripe blackcurrants and bramble, amongst black rose petal, smoke, and a lick of liquorice. An immediate richness of black fruit greets you on the palate, which is carried through to the back of the mouth across a velvety texture. All components are working together, the tannins are long and fine yet providing a neat framework, alcohol is modestly low and allows the purity of the blackcurrant and red plum fruit to shine through, balanced with a cleansing acidity. Leaving a clean and lasting finish with a touch of bitter chocolate. 13% alcohol. Drinking 2017 – 2022+.
Chris Lamb, Private Account Manager
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
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)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
A propos, the 2010 is an outstanding example and therefore logically will merit a label which captures the colours and contours of a perfect season. The wine repays the compliment; the blend is divided equally between Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the former lending an elegant Palladian structure, the later bright arboreal colour…..or in wine speak, firm but finely-etched tannins and a measured density of fruit, with blackberry and black cherry to the fore, and behind that hints of bay laurel and distant autumnal bonfires. The achievement of interloping Cabernet Sauvignon into these warm Provençal vineyards has been significant, and has no better illustration than the 2010 vintage.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
An idiosyncratic wine, with mint, dark chocolate, eucalyptus, and ripe blackcurrant and blackcurrant leaf on the nose. The palate is superbly balanced, with reams of ripe cassis fruit, full-bodied, but fresh and lively. It has a precision and elegance one would not expect from a Southern French wine. The tannins are ripe and chalky, which is a nice foil to the ripe fruit palate.
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 2cs
When Languedoc pioneer Aime Guibert planted his first vines in 1972 and crushed his first Mas Daumas Gassac red in 1978, he was convinced that, improbable though it must have seemed to virtually any other observer at the time, his property and wine would gain worldwide renown. And it did. But a lot of even less predictable changes including grands vins have come to the Languedoc in the last thirty years which Guibert never imagined.
Today, the property his children help him to farm has spawned a few experimental cuvees and a parallel line of inexpensive wines from purchased grapes (under the umbrella “Moulin de Gassac,” with several labels), but the flagships remain a Cabernet-based red and (since 1986) a white consisting of Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Chenin Blanc, and (up to 20%) grapes from a multi-national collection of varieties more diverse than you would find in many a commercial vine nursery.
(David Schildknecht - Wine Advocate - Jun 2009)
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
(Gary Owen - Fine Wine Department - 29-Nov-2012)
The enthusiasm and energy of the man suggests that the change of career was a wise one. The transition was assisted in no small measure by our old friend René Rostaing of Côte Rôtie who was originally Remy’s landlord. Rostaing has bought elsewhere and now M Pédréno is his own master. A champion of indigenous varieties, especially Carignan, Remy eschews intervention in both the vines and the winery.
His yields are naturally low, so green harvesting an similar ‘compensatory ‘ techniques are unnecessary and in the winery maceration is gentle and not forced by sometimes brutal techniques such as delestage, popular elsewhere in the parish. The wood, unsurprisingly, is not new and the wine is allowed a leisurely 16 months to gather its wits in a decorous and harmonious fashion.
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
The result is an astonishing array of aromas, including honeysuckle, orange blossom and fresh lemons; honed to a long, precise finish.
Will Heslop - Buying Department
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
94/100 Jeb Dunnuck eRobertParker.com #216 Jan 2015
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 12 x 75cl 1cs
Magnum 3 x 150cl 2cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer
Magnum 3 x 150cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 1cs
Bottle 6 x 75cl 137cs
Simon Field MW, Wine Buyer