Réserve de Gassac Blanc, Vin de Pays de l’Hérault 2021

Mas de Daumas Gassac, invariably described as the first “Grand Cru of the Languedoc”. Whilst searching for a family home in the Hérault hinterland, Véronique and Aimé GUIBERT fell under the spell of an abandoned farmhouse nestling on the bend of a pine bordered lane. Owned by the DAUMAS family, it was in the heart of a splendid, unspoilt valley through which runs the GASSAC river. In 1971 Professor Enjalbert first visited Daumas Gassac. After only a day walking round the Domaine he raved about the ice age scree covered land likening it to the best soil in Burgundy’s Côtes d’Or. Rock, scrub and tree clearing began and the first vines, principally Cabernet Sauvignon were planted on the 1.6ha plot. Construction of cellars began, in the foundations of the Gallo-Roman water mill, in 1972. Cold water springs emanating from the Gassac mean the temperature remains cool and constant so they’re ideal for housing vats and barrels. The first wines, produced by Mas de Daumas Gassac were released in 1978. The Gassac valley is an extraordinary microclimate with cool air tumbling off the high Larzac plateau as well as the influence of the Mediterranean in the other direction and the Gassac River than runs through the valley.