The Rosè Wines of Domaines Paul Mas Shine on the Terroirs of Langeudoc

Domaines Paul Mas wines are the ambassador to the wines of the Languedoc region. The Paul Mas family has 15 Chateaux and Domaines all located in the Languedoc-Roussillon region and Jean Claude Mas is focused on pairing soils with the grape varieties to bring out the different terroirs.

It all begins in the vineyard. According to Jean-Claude Mas “Nature is generous, you need to know how to listen to best understand and accompany it.” With 20 years of winemaking and vineyard management under his belt, although not certified organic, the vineyards are managed under organic methods.

With the popularity of Rosè wine Jean Claude made an investment in these wines and puts his personal touch on them. His Rosè wines fermentations are performed between 14 and 17 degrees to extract the best grape aromas. With these practices in place, the Rosè wines have the aging potential for up to 5 years.

I had the opportunity to taste three Rosè wines in the Paul Mas family. Since Jean-Claude believes in everyday luxury and Cote Mas is an invitation to experience Rural Luxury, I took two of these brands boating. There is nothing like enjoying a nice bottle of Rosè wine on the ocean.

Domaine Lauriga Le Gris 2019 - Chateau Lauriga joined the Domaines Paul Mas family in 2016. The 43-year-old vineyards are located in the IGP Cotes Catalanes planted in pebbly clay and limestone soil at an elevation of 60 - 120 meters above sea level. The wine was beautiful light pink in color. Showed some pear and stone fruit. Very easy drinking with a zing of acidity on the finish. Very well balanced. This was our Kitchen Wine on a slow evening at the restaurant. Chef’s pairing suggestions:

Goat cheese and beet salad, strawberry or mixed berry salad with Boston Bibb lettuce. Strawberry and goat cheese salad and watermelon salad with feta and lime juice.

Interesting to note - according to French regulation, wines sourced from IGP’s can only be labeled as “Domaine” and not “Chateau.”

Cotè Mas Rosè Aurore 2019 - This wine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Syrah planted in clay and limestone soil. The vines age in range from 7 to 35 years at an elevation of 60 - 150 meters above sea level. Only free-run juice is used and the wine is aged on its lees for 40 days in cement vats. Nice pink in color with some floral aromas and red fruit. The palate is smooth and complex with red fruit notes throughout. Perfect boating wine.

Chateau Lauriga Rose 2019 - A blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache from the AOP Cotes du Roussillon. The vineyards are between 13 and 25 years old planted in clay and limestone with gravel at an elevation of 80 - 150 meters above sea level. Nice pale pink in color. Fruity and white floral notes escape from the glass. Hints of red fruit dance on your palate. Perfect boating wine. There is something about the label that is just soft, elegant and romantic.

Treat Yourself to Every Day Luxury with Domaines Paul Mas

The table is set, the good china is out and the silver is polished. It’s a special dinner and I think to myself, why don’t I use this china and silver more often. I carefully select the wine for the evening, selections from Domaines Paul Mas, everyday luxury wines; a Chardonnay, a red blend and a Pinot Noir. The menu: Ceviche, Crab Beignets, Duck Breast Confit, Potatoes and Green Beans. Let the evening begin.

I think I need to take a lesson off the books of Jean-Claude Mas, founder of Les Domaines Paul Mas. What is that lesson? “Luxe Rural” - Everyday Luxury. Why do I only bring out my good china and silverware three times a year? Shouldn’t I be enjoying it every day, just like a bottle of wine? I quote Jean-Claude Mas “Our wines are a result of our mission to inspire real emotions.” Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, isn’t everyday a luxury? When we sit down at the dinner table, we want to talk about the day, feel good, proud and enjoy the presentation of the meal and bottle of wine? Just because you are eating on your good china, doesn’t mean the bottle of wine has to be expensive. What is most important is that you like it. After your meal, you are proud, you enjoyed the meal, the wine and your good china that you admire and realize you should be eating on it more often. Like everyday luxury, treat yourself every day!

La Forge Estate

La Forge Estate wines symbolize the fusion of old world and new world winemaking. Like the old school of thought the good china for special occasions, but should really be every day. La Forge Estate wines have new world attitude and are one of Jean-Claude’s signature wines.

The 2017 La Forge Estate Chardonnay is a beautiful expression of Chardonnay that is oaked, but not over-oaked. The Chardonnay was aged for only 4 months in oak barrels. The wine expressed lots of pineapple, tropical fruit, mango, soft hints of lemon and lime and a very subtle hint of toast and vanilla. A great wine for every day or that special occasion. Paired well with the Crab Beignets! SRP $12.99

Chateau Paul Mas Reserve - St. Hilaire Vineyard

The Chateau Paul Mas wines come from 5 vineyards that make up the estate. One of those vineyards is the St Hilaire vineyard where the 2018 Chateau Pal Mas Reserve Pinot Noir comes from. A lovely Pinot Noir with aromas escaping from the glass showing hints of earthiness followed by red raspberry, nutmeg, and licorice. The palate was full of juicy raspberry, cranberry and left lingering black pepper on your lips when finished. Paired beautifully with the duck and the cranberry glaze. SRP $13.99

Château Des Crès Richards

This estate was created in 1960 in the village of Ceyras and in 2010 Jean-Claude Mas acquired the 27 hectares. The soil is unique with red earth, shale and pebbles that produces silky wines with intense flavors.

The 2017 Château Des Crès Richards Stècia is a blend of 60% Syrah 25% Grenache and 15% Carignan. The syrah vines are between 11 and 21 years old and the Grenache and Carignan vines are 42 and 49 years old respectively. The wine showed lots of mocha, hint of menthol followed by chocolate and molasses. The wine paired well with our dessert of white chocolate peanut butter truffles. SRP $19.99

Jean-Claude Mas produces wines from the Languedoc region of France. We should all take note and follow his thoughts of everyday luxury. Everyday luxury is defined by you not by $.

Estates at the Heart of Paul Mas

I’ve written before about Paul Mas Wines. Jean-Claude Mas is behind the Arrogant Frog line and Cote Mas Rose in the liter bottle. All fun wines, but there is a seriousness behind Jean-Claude Mas and a renewed pride in the Languedoc region of France and his estates are at the heart of it all.

Jean-Claude Mas

“ To me, the Languedoc represents terroir meeting modernity, a blend between French expertise, Tuscan style and dynamism of California”

Jean-Claude Mas is the son of grape growers and inherited some vines that gave him his start. In 2000 he established Domaines Paul Mas from 35 hectares he inherited and today he owns and manages 12 estates in the Languedoc Roussillon region of France. These 12 estates cover 700 hectares and he is partner in vineyards of 1500 hectares. He works with 45 different grape varieties each growing in areas where they thrive.

The Grapes and regions

In Limoux he grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Viognier, while in Roussillon Grenache Noir, Grenache Gris and Macabeu thrive in those soils.

The Syrah is grown in two different areas where the soils extract different characteristic of the fruit. The Malpere region is warmer and the Syrah gains peppery notes where in the Terrasses du Larzac area you will see more black fruits, black olive and truffle from the grapes.

In the Herault Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc thrive in the fertile soils.

It’s Personal

When selecting his estates, Jean-Claude looks for the potential to produce great value wines. Each of his estates have their own mission.

All of the estates are located an hour and fifteen minute drive from his headquarters at Domaines Paul Mas in Montagnac.

Jean-Claude is hands on. He takes pride in all his vineyards and visits them regularly checking on the development and health of the vines and grapes. Each vineyard requires it’s own individual TLC.

Wines of Chateau Pal Mas

One of the things I love about the wines Jean-Claude produces is first the quality and second the price and third the variety of the blends.

Chateau Pal Mas Clos Des Mures 2016 SRP $19.99 - This blend is 85% Syrah from vines 25 to 35 years old, 10% Grenache from 30 year old vines and 5% Mourvedre from 18 year old vines. The soil is clay and limestone with fossils and limestone rocks. The wine is aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels. With 30% new oak, 35% one year use oak barrels and 35% two year use oak barrels.

Aromas of pepper spice, blackberry and black currant. It’s medium plus soft body with black fruit that’s dry yet fruity and has a nice burst of black pepper on the finish.

It is a nice every day wine that we served with grilled prime rib.

Chateau Paul Mas Clos de Savignac 2016 SRP $22 - This is a blend of 55% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache from the Les Vignes de Savignac vineyard. These vines are old vines with low yield. The wine is aged for 14 months in oak barrels and bottled unrefined and unfiltered to preserve it’s velvety and dense structure.

A beautiful purple color with nice structure and complex body of cassis, dark red cherry, blackberry and a nice spice on the finish. A very nice wine that we paired with New York Strip Steak and the first silver queen corn of the season.

Paul Mas Estate Picpoul de Pinet 2016 SRP $12.99 The grapes for this wine come from vineyards that lie along the Mediterranean Bay of Thau. The soil is full of limestone with some red soil in parts of the vineyards. The vineyard has been planted for nearly 2,000 years.

This was such a nice wine to have while sitting at the beach. It was light with the minerality showing through. White flowers, tangerine and unripened white peach flavors that paired very well with herbed goat cheese and cheddar cheese.

A final note on the wines in the portfolio of the Estates of Paul Mas, I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a bottle to have at home, bring to a party or just an everyday wine to have on hand. Reasonably priced and pairs will with most foods and friends.

Celebrate Bastille Day with Luxe Rural Rose from Domaine Paul Mas

Bastille Day is the celebration of the storming of the military fortress and prison Bastille on July 14, 1790. This was a turning point of the French Revolution and a celebration of the unity of the French people.

Today it is celebrated by a miltary parade and parties throughout France. Why not celebrate with the Frenchman himself Jean-Claude Mas. Jean-Claude produces wines from the Languedoc region of France where the regions terroir meets modernity. His wines are great expressions of what the Languedoc region offers. Wines that give pleasure in their youth and become exceptional with aging. His wines are an everyday luxury and best of all they are very reasonably priced.

A little background on Jean-Claude, he grew up in the vineyards as the son and grandson of grape growers.He produced his first wines from a 35 hectare plot of vines inherited from his father. Today he owns 12 estates in the Languedoc- Roussillon covering 700 hectares. In addition he manages an 1500 additional hectares.

Planted are 45 different grape varieties, each giving different expressions into the wine.

Each vineyard is treated with TLC and is given what it needs to produce quality grapes. For instance, in Limoux at Domaine Martinolles some vineyards are planted with cereal crops and leguminous plants before they replant them with vines. This is the natural way to bring the organic material back into the soil that the previous vines depleted. Jean-Claude has great passion for his vines and visits each estate vineyards every week to check on the health of the vines. He is called the “pioneer for the ‘New Languedoc’,” raising the profile and quality of the region’s wine.

Jean-Claude’s wines are great for everyday enjoyment. Whether celebrating and event, or wine o’ clock, his luxe rural wines will put a smile on every face. Luxe Rural is an appreciation of the simple pleasures of life, something we all need to do every day.

Domaines Paul Mas 2017 Cote Mas Rose Aurore is the perfect wine for celebration of any kind, like friendship as we did one evening. The beautiful label on the front originates from a pastel drawing in the Art Nouveau style of the original Domaines Paul Mas family estate. He worked with an artist that had the Toulouse Lautrec style to create the label.

Once past the label and one sip and the comments were “this is a lovely great everyday Rose.” It’s fresh and easy drinking with a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault an 20% Syrah. It has a nice pink color bringing excitement to the wine. Aromas of strawberry, and some floral hints leading to a well balanced palate with flavors of watermelon, strawberry, and cherry.

While most wine comes in 750ml, this Rose is the only 1 liter format in distribution in the US to signify wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed with friends. The wine retails for $12.99 / 1 liter.

Looking South To Languedoc

When one thinks of France they think of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone.  Well, there is a hidden gem in Languedoc.  In fact when I was taking the CSW class those were the words of my teacher.

In the Coteaux de Languedoc AOC between Pézenas and Séte on the beautiful Mediterranean coastline sits Domaines Paul Mas.  Records suggest that is was once the most important estate in the Langeudoc region and has been in the same family for over a thousand years.

Today Domaines Paul Mas has 440 acres that includes Château du Conas, Domaines de Nicole and Les Tannes in Montagnac and Domaines Astruc in Limoux AOC.  The vineyards are planted with Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier and Chardonnay. They also work with about 80 growers and have 2000 more acres under contract.  They vinify their own fruit and select grapes based on quality not price.

Jean-Claude Mas is the fourth generation winemaker.  He always as a child help in the family estate in Languedoc. After experience in Bordeaux he returned to the family vineyards with the goal to cultivate the finest classic grape varieties and to create wines with a modern, New World flair.

Jean-Claude took over Domaines Pual Mass in 2000. He has since transformed the 86 acre estate in Languedoc to one of the leading producers of premium wines.

Now the wines:

2011 Chateau Paul Mas Clos de Savignac Rouge

• Appellation: Coteaux du Languedoc AOP
• Vineyard: 7.4 acres located on a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Vineyard is planted with old vine Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.
• Aged for 14 months in American Oak
• Bottled unrefined and unfiltered
• Blend: 50% Mourvedre, 30% Syrah, 20% Grenache

A nice dark purplish redish color.  Aromas of coffee, licorice, touch of vanilla and blackberry fill the glass. It leads to a palate, smooth, full of dark fruit.  The blackberry shows through strong with slight tannins.  

Chateau Paul Mas Clos du Moulinas Cru Pézenas Rouge

• Appellation: Coteaux du Languedoc Grand Vin de Pezenas
• Vineyard: of clay and limestone with fossilized seashell rocks.  Mediterranean climate with oceanic influences. Syrah vines are between 29 & 49 years old and the Grenache is over 50. 
• 40% of the blend does it's malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, then aged for 12 months in barrels.  60% put in oak after malolactic.  Oak program is French and American
• Blend: 55% Syrah, 45% Grenache

Aromas of this wine is strong on the blackberry with hints of thyme.  Once in your mouth you get layers of fruit...blackberry, cherry and raspberry with a hint of herbal notes. Silky mouth feel.

Chateau Paul Mas Clos des Mures Rouge

• Appellation: Coteaux du Languedoc
• Vineyard: Soil of clay and limestone with fossils and limestone rocks. Syrah comes from 25-35 year old vines, Grenache vines are 30 years old and the Mourvedre are 18. 
• Blend: 85% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 5% Mourvedre

This wine had a very tight wound nose.  Some hints of coffee, blueberry and blackberry.  I had it open for over an hour before the tasting.  I thought the wine was bland.  

However....being that I was alone with three bottles for the week, I wasn't drinking them all in one night. About 3 days later when Paul came back we opened the bottle and to my surprise it had come alive. It unwound itself nicely.  It became a little more fruity on the palate and quite enjoyable.