Mas de Daumas Gassac

Mas de Daumas Gassac Red 1996

The 1996 vintage succeeded in reconciling the fatness of hot years with the refreshing acidity of more complex years. This is a wine of powerful constitution, with a dark red color, black highlights, a powerful nose and a fleshy palate.

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VINTAGE 1996

n°19

1997

1995

1997

VINTAGE 1996

n°19

Technical sheet

GRAPE VARIETIES:

– 65% Cabernet Sauvignon.
– 9% Merlot.
– 7% Syrah.
– 7% Cabernet Franc.
– 7% Malbec.
– 3% Pinot noir.
– 1% Tannat.
– 1% rare grape varieties.

CLIMATE:

Seriously heavy rain during autumn and winter of ’95 – ’96 left the ground saturated; hot weather in May and June; a miserable July followed by a heat wave in August and the first fortnight of September.

Dénomination:
Vin de Pays de l’Hérault.

HARVEST:
100% Manual

HARVEST DATES:
13 September – 27 September 1996 (9 days)

Vinification:

Slow extraction, delicate pump-over and soft infusion vinification, long fermentation and maceration, no filtration

TYPE OF SOIL:
Red Glacial deposits

Âges moyen des vignes
24 years

MATURING:
12 to 15 months in oak barrel (1 to 7 years old barrels)

Ph:
3,72

TOTAL ACIDITY:
3.24

YIELD:
42 hl/ha.

ALCOHOL BY VOL.:
12,75% Vol.

Folin:
41

HARVEST

Overcast weather before picking started, several rainy days between 13 and 21 September (235mm). Then lovely hot, dry weather during the last week of September.

TASTING HINTS

Serve between 18° and 19°C, preferably in a balloon glass.
Uncork three or four hours before serving, but put the cork back in the bottle.
Decanting wine is always a plus, to express its complexities. On a decanter, as on a bottle, replace the cork immediately after opening.
Enjoy young (within 3 years) to appreciate its superb fruit aromas. Then drink after its fifth year, or keep for many years (15-20) to appreciate its characteristics as a great wine for laying down.

CELLARING ADVICE
If your cellar is cool (12° to 16°C), you can keep your Mas de Daumas Gassac for several years.
If your cellar is not cool, or if you fear the passage of time, don’t hesitate to drink your Mas de Daumas Gassac wines as soon as it finishes maturing, at 2 years/3 years, 5 years!

WHEN TO ENJOY MAS DE DAUMAS GASSAC RED WINES
Know that there are no absolute great wines; only great bottles! Those drunk in a moment of serenity.
Know also that the Cabernet Sauvignon of the Médoc, from the days before clones, produces incomparable, lively wines, rich in the talent to age beautifully.
It’s up to you to choose one of the five periods to suit your tastes.

THE FIVE LIVES OF MAS DE DAUMAS GASSAC RED WINES
The five lives of Mas de Daumas Gassac Red Wines Laid down in a cool cellar (14°-16°C, 57-60°F) even the oldest can happily wait with no problem for many years. However, being laid down in warmer temperatures will speed up the wines’ maturity.

Period of fruit, from the first autumn after bottling. A true basket of fruit, hints of what’s to come.
Period of youth, crisp fruit and tannins to the fore. Lasts from three to seven years. A delicious and invigorating wine to drink. An absolute must.
Period of maturity, velvety tannins appear, the fruit fades. This period lasts for seven to fourteen years. The wine reveals its true complexity.
Period of plenitude, between fourteen and twenty-one years. The fruity flavours fade giving way to tertiary aromas with hints of dried roses, woodland moss, truffles, game!
Period of dreams, over twenty-one years, most Mas de Daumas Gassac vintages will continue to evolve into magical flavours if laid down in a cool cellar with the right humidity. A treasure for grandchildren to discover in grandad’s cellar!

Mas de Daumas Gassac Red 1996

Technical sheet

HARVEST

TASTING HINTS

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