Mas de Daumas Gassac IGP de l'Hérault 2005

Details

Aimé Guibert was a leading figure in the revival of Languedoc winemaking. After acquiring his old farmhouse nestled by the sound of the Gassac River, he helped to harness the potential of the limestone terroir of the Upper Gassac Valley, composed of glacial gneisses. The diurnal range and the nature of the soil convinced him that it was a prime terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon, produced through massal selection from the best Bordeaux châteaux. Aimé's sons, Samuel, Gaël, Roman, and Basile, now preside over the estate's destiny. Like the great Cabernet Sauvignons of this world, this fine wine is best enjoyed after at least a decade, even if recent vintages are more accessible in their youth.

The Daumas Gassac vines are composed of approximately 80% Cabernet Sauvignon plus a collection of around twenty different grape varieties planted in the commune of Aniane in IGP St Guilhem-le-Désert on red glacial grèze (dust) soils. Harvesting is done by hand for a yield of 35hl/ha. Vinification is Médoc-style, with a long fermentation and maceration at controlled temperatures. There is no filtration. Aging lasts 12 to 15 months in oak barrels, renewed by a seventh each year.