Welcome to Jean-Claude Mas and Château Paul Mas who will be at the VanWineFest 2020. Read about their history and wines in their own words.
About Jean-Claude Mas
Jean-Claude Mas is a man who relishes a challenge. His story illustrates this perfectly: a 4th generation winegrower but a 1st generation winemaker, he built a business from 17 hectares of inherited vines that has, in a few short years, become a showcase for the renewed reputation of the Languedoc vineyards. Jean-Claude Mas’s great-grandfather, Auguste Mas, bought the first family vineyard in 1892.
Today Jean-Claude is the owner and manager of 15 estates in the Languedoc Roussillon covering 800 hectares, as well as 1500 hectares of partner vineyards. He has instilled a new style, a subtle blend of tradition with a New World attitude, in this wine region that expresses the quintessential character of the Languedoc terroir.
The wines of Jean-Claude Mas are the result of the interaction between an exceptional wine region, a real passion for viticulture, absolute respect for the winemaking process and the art of blending. The first wine Jean-Claude blended was from 1995 and 24 years later he continues to blend wines for you to enjoy.
Jean-Claude Mas is often described as a pioneer from the New Languedoc, belonging to the New wave of French wines, one of those on a mission to give Languedoc his former glory back in a region where wine production goes back to more than 2000 years.
About Château Paul Mas
Château Paul Mas is located between Pézenas and Montpellier, not far from the Mediterranean Sea. The grape varieties planted there include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cinsault, Marselan, Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Piquepoul, and Vermentino. The vines are grown using sustainable viticultural practices, certified Terra Vitis and High Environmental Value, and carefully follow the basic principles of biodynamic wine production. The wines are made and aged in cement or stainless steel tanks or in small oak barrels as well as standard size French or American oak barrels.
The Wines We Will Feature at the International Festival Tasting Room
We hope you enjoy our wines at the Vancouver Wine Festival. Please say Hello. We will be pouring:
Chai Mas Blanc IGP Pays d’Oc 2018 – 65 % Viognier, 15 % Vermentino, 5% Pinot Gris, 5% Macabeu, 5% Sauvignon, and 5% Colombard. Each varietal is vinified separately. It’s bright gold yellow with straw yellow tints. Very elegant with a quintessence of tropical fruits, peach and white flower aromas, with a hint of vanilla and toasted bread. Rich and long length, finishing with fruity and mineral notes.
Château Martinolles Crémant de Limoux Grande Reserve 2014 – this sparkling wine is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin, and 10% Mauzac. Traditional method: first fermentation in vat then bottle fermentation follows (second fermentation). 20% is aged for 6 months in barrels the rest is aged in vats under controlled temperature. The Bottles will be resting for 24 months at least on laths in an air-conditioned cellar. 3 months before launching, bottles disgorging is done, then we add a liqueur d’expedition and we finish with the cork plugging. It is Pale and limpid yellow, delicate, nice, dancing and persistent bubbles. Intense and refined, honey and acacia aromas join to subtle crystallized citrus fruits hints. Consistent but light with a delightful effervescence, with fresh flavours of orange and grapefruit.
Jardin de Roses AOP Languedoc 2018 – a rose wine made with 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache. it is pale pink coloured. Fine and subtle nose of berries aromas with red fruit notes, hints of blackberry and cherries. The palate is lively and greedy with notes of red fruits. Ideal for an aperitif, with grilled meats or white meat. Can also be served with tapas!
Clos Astélia IGP Pays d’Oc 2016 – a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 45% Syrah. Each grape variety is vinified separately. 30% of the blend is aged in US oak barrels for 8 months the other 70% in French oak barrels. It has an intense ruby colour with purple hints. Elegant and complex with aromas of ripe black fruits, blackcurrant combined with spicy notes such as licorice and vanilla. A well-balanced wine with smooth tannins and a long finish, on cacao notes. Best served at 17°C with red meat, pastas, and hard cheeses.
Château Paul Mas Clos des Mûres AOP Languedoc 2018 – an 85 % Syrah, 10 % Grenache Noir, and 5 % Mourvèdre blend. Destemming and separate winemaking for each grape. 20% of the blend makes its malolactic fermentation in barrels. The 80% remaining has been put in oak barrels after malolactic fermentation. Then, the wine is aged for 9 months in French and American oak barrels. 30 % of new oak barrels, 35 % of 1-year old oak barrels, 35 % of 2 years old oak barrels. It has a deep red-purple colour, with amethyst hints. Complex with blackcurrant, violet, blackberries, turning to cacao and spice aromas. A full-bodied wine. Peanut butter, cocoa, and dried berries aromas with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tangy, dark berry tart, apple sauce, cedar, and mineral nuanced finish with chewy tannins. Best served at 15-17°C with grilled red meat, duck filet, meridional dishes as an Osso Bucco, “Poulet Basquaise”, some cheeses can also pair very well with this wine.
