2018 Domaines Paul Mas Astélia Sauvignon Blanc

Domaines Paul Mas was founded in 1892. The current owner is Jean-Claude Mas and this is undoubtedly the pioneer in the field of the revival of the Languedoc as a region for quality wines. Jean-Claude characterizes his wines as 'Le Luxe Rural', rural luxury. With international grape varieties, he has given the Languedoc 'new world' allure. And with his fashionable wines from local grapes, he has made the local character of the Languedoc hip again for wine lovers. Hubrecht Duijker rightly calls Jean-Claude Mas a 'wine wizard' and at Grandcruwijnen we are the only ones in the Netherlands who also carry Paul Mas's high end Grandcrus.

Every aspect of Clos Astelia carries the craftsman ship of Jean-Claude Mas, from the house to the cellars and the bottles. He has tried to bring all his many passions together in one estate. Astelia is an ode to Jean-Claude Mas's four daughters, Astrid, Elisa, Apolline and Estelle. Astelia embodies all the passion and distinctions of the characteristic wines of Jean-Claude Mas; a selection of plots managed according to sustainable and biodynamic principles.

The Astelia is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc comes from a sustainably managed vineyard with a planting density of 4400 plants / ha and an average yield: 45 hl / ha. The high plant density is mainly to make the vines suffer, causing them to root deeper. This also ensures a lower yield but with a much higher quality. The grapes are picked by hand from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. to protect against high temperatures and oxidation.

The wine then ferments for 15 to 21 days at a low temperature (between 15 ° C and 16 ° C). 15% of the mixture undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel vessels. The wine matures for 4 months in fine lees in stainless steel barrels with regular stirring of the lees (sur lie-batonnage). 5% mature in French barrels for 4 months.
In the glass the wine straw gel has pale color with green hints. In the nose, the wine is elegant, intense, exotic, with boxwood, gooseberry, white flowers and aromas of passion fruit and citrus. In the mouth the wine is very well balanced, fresh and powerful, expressive with good persistence.

The Astelia Sauvignon Blanc is best served at 10 ° C and is an excellent aperitif and a good accompaniment to a salad with shrimps and citrus fruits, zucchini and ricotta or carpaccio of scallops with a dressing of lemon and pink pepper.