Domaines Paul Mas is delighted to be taking part in the Decanter Fine Wine Encounter tasting held at the Landmark Hotel in London on the 16th and 17th of November. This event is a highlight in our tasting calendar and represent a great opportunity to meet the public and get wine-enthusiasts to try our award-winning cuvées.
We will be showcasing signature wines from Château Paul Mas, such as Château Paul Mas Belluguette, Château Paul Mas Clos des Mûres (Gold Medal, Decanter WWA 2013) and Château Paul Mas Clos de Savignac. Our table will also feature top-end wines from Jean Claude Mas’ estates in Limoux (Chateau Martinolles) and Terrasse du Larzac (Château Crès Ricard).
The last couple of months have been very busy at Domaines Paul Mas with the 2013 harvest which saw our technical teams working days and nights in our vineyards. The 2013 Sommelier Challenge rewarded their dedication to great winemaking by honouring Domaines Paul Mas with the title of Winery of the Year.
Robert Whitley, director of the 2013 Sommelier Challenge quoted: “The wines of Chateau Paul Mas went up against an array of superb wines from many of the wine world’s finest wine addresses and proved themselves worthy. For this reason, I have chosen Chateau Paul Mas of Pezenas, in the Languedoc region of southern France, to receive the Director’s Award as the 2013 Sommelier Challenge Winery of the Year.
This level of excellence from the hinterlands of the French wine industry, a region once known only for its ocean of generic “bulk” wine, would have been unthinkable as recently as 20 years ago. The Languedoc, which covers the Mediterranean coast from Montpelier to the Pyrenees and the Spanish border, has undergone a renaissance in recent years, led in part by visionary enterprises such as Domaines Paul Mas and Gerard Bertrand, as well as boutique producers such as Domaine Mas Jullien”.
This remarkable accolade adds up to the 30 gold Medals, the 15 Silver Medals & 32 Bronze Medals received since January 2013.
Domaines Paul Mas has yet again received another accolade in the UK. The Wine Merchant Top 50 is the first and only wine competition to let retailers have complete control over the judging.
The wines were put through their paces in July and we are glad to announce that two white wines got selected among the TOP50: Claude Val Blanc Pays d’OC 2012 and Château Paul Mas Belluguette Coteaux du Languedoc AOP 2012. The selection was made by a panel of independent wine merchants over two rounds, in which all entries were tasted, re-tasted and discussed at length. To reach the final 50 is a considerable achievement.
The judging process was overseen by the esteemed Olly Smith, and David Williams who ensured there was consistency and fairness throughout.
This remarkable accolade adds up to the 30 gold Medals, the 15 Silver Medals & 32 Bronze Medals received since January 2013.
Château Paul Mas Belluguette 2012:
“Pale gold with an attractive green tinge and plenty of legs. An inviting nose of melon, lemon and tangerine. Plenty of stone fruit with peach and apricot to the fore, kept real with well-balanced, cleansing acidity. Well-made and balanced”. The Wine Merchant TOP 50
Claude Val Blanc Pays d’OC 2012:
“Pale gold with defined green tinge. Restrained nose of clean tropical fruits. An explosion of textured tropical fruit with a touch of liquorice complexity. Good length, very refreshing and great value”. The Wine Merchant TOP 50
To celebrate the warm British summer, Domaines Paul Mas will be exhibiting for the first time at the Sud de France festival on the 31st of August. The Sud de France “joie de vivre” festival brings the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France to the centre of London. The festival will stretch along the river from the Riverside Walkway to the Bernie Spain Gardens and will include an authentic food market, pop-up restaurants, talks from food and wine producers and experts
We have put together a selection of wines crafted by owner and winemaker Jean-Claude Mas which truly reflect their sense of place. Must-tries include:
– Paul Mas Vermentino 2012: Bronze – Decanter World Wine Awards 2013, Bronze – International Wine Challenge 2013
– Paul Mas Estate Marsanne 2012: Bronze Medal – International Wine Challenge 2013, Selected TOP100 UK Languedoc Roussillon 2013
– Paul Mas Estate Malbec 2011: Originally from South-West France where it was known as ‘the black wine of Cahors,’ and more migrant to Argentina, Jean-Claude Mas has brought Malbec to the Languedoc to produce to a ripe, full-bodied wine. The black wine is back!
– Château Paul Mas Belluguette 2012: A blend of 40% Vermentino, 30% Roussanne, 20% Grenache and 10% Viognier. This new white wine from Château Paul Mas is made from fruit picked from the Belluguette and Cres Ricard vineyards. Selected TOP100 Languedoc Wine Competition 2013
– Château Paul Mas Clos de Savignac 2011: This blend of 55% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache comes from a tiny vineyard within the ‘cru’ appellation Grès de Montpellier. The grapes come from low-yielding old-vines planted at 120metres above sea level and facing South-East. A powerful and complex wine.
During the festival, we will also be running a Twitter competition which will give you the chance to win tickets for the Three Wine Men in London. Keep an eye out for it and follow on twitter @PaulMasSUK to enter the draw!
For the first time, we are going to be at Imbibe Live on 2nd & 3rd July at Olympia.
We have hand-picked a selection of wines from our portfolio that will appeal to sommeliers and wine buyers from all over the country and they are available through our network of wholesalers both in London and regionally.
Food and wine is a subject very close to our hearts, even more so since we opened the doors of Restaurant Côté Mas, at our estate near Pézenas. Come and see us on F36 and find out more about our amazing Japanese chef, Taichi Megurikami and some of the dishes on the menu – local Languedoc prepared with a subtle Asian twist in places.
Our top 5 picks from Domaines Paul Mas at Imbibe Live 2013
1. THE CÔTÉ MAS RANGE
A classic Mediterranean white blend, a rich fruity red, an elegant, dry rosé and an innovative Picpoul Frizzante make up the Côté Mas range, all packaged with striking Art Deco labels in the vibrant colours of the Languedoc.
2. MAS DES MAS PICPOUL & MAS DES MAS SAINT-CHINIAN
The Mas de Mas range represents the essence of each Languedoc appellation. Zingy and zesty, Mas des Mas Picpoul (Selected TOP100 Languedoc Wine competition 2013) is a versatile wine which can be enjoyed by the glass or matched with seafood. Made from old Syrah, Carignan & Grenache vines, Mas des Mas Saint-Chinian shows off the spice and complexity of the Languedoc with remarkable value for money.
3. CHÂTEAU PAUL MAS BLANC BELLUGUETTE 2012 – NEW WINE
A blend of 40% Vermentino, 30% Roussanne, 20% Grenache and 10% Viognier, this new white wine from Château Paul Mas is made from fruit picked from the Belluguette and Cres Ricard vineyards. Selected in the TOP100 Languedoc Wine Competition
4. CHÂTEAU PAUL MAS CLOS DE SAVIGNAC 2011 – CHATEAU PAUL MAS’ SIGNATURE
This blend of 55%Syrah, 25% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache comes from a 3hectares vineyard within the cru appellation Grès de Montpellier. The grapes come from low-yielding old-vines planted at 120 meters above sea level and facing South-East.
5. MAS DES TANNES RÉSERVE ROUGE 2011
Covering 40 hectares on the Nicole Estate near Montagnac, 20 hectares of the Mas des Tannes vineyard is certified organic and the other 20 hectares is currently in transition to organic. For Domaines Paul Mas, sustainable viticulture and care for the environment is not simply an option but a necessity. Light tractors are used on the vineyard to prevent soil compaction. A special ‘intercep’ plough is used to weed around each vine instead of using herbicide. Wild flowers and grasses are grown between the rows of vines to promote biodiversity throughout the vineyard.
SOPEXA MASTERCLASS
Sopexa will be running a masterclass entitled “Authentic and Natural” featuring wine regions with unique individuality. Two of Domaines Paul Mas’ wines will be showcased:
Château Martinolles Limoux Blanc 2012 – Selected TOP100 Languedoc Wine Competition 2013
Paul Mas Estate Carignan 2012 – Best Red IGP Trophy, TOP100 Languedoc Wine Competition 2013
