Domaines Paul Mas was founded in 1892. The current owner is Jean-Claude Mas and he is without doubt the pioneer of the revival of the Languedoc as a region for quality wines. Jean-Claude describes his wines as 'Le Luxe Rural', rural luxury. He has given the Languedoc 'new world' allure with international grape varieties. And with his fashionable wines from local grapes, he has made the local character of the Languedoc hip again among wine lovers. Hubrecht Duijker rightly calls Jean-Claude Mas a 'wine wizard' and at Grandcruwijnen we are the only company in the Netherlands to also carry the high-end Grandcrus of Paul Mas.

Jean-Claude describes his wines as 'Le Luxe Rural', rural luxury. He has given the Languedoc 'new world' allure with international grape varieties. And with his fashionable wines from local grapes, he has made the local character of the Languedoc hip again among wine lovers.

Halfway between Carcassonne and Caunes-Minervois is Château Villegly, estate and vineyard that Jean-Claude Mas has been exploiting since the beginning of 2018, of which 20 ha are in the Minervois appellation area. With a beautiful stone cellar dating back to the end of the 19th early 20th century, this estate also has the particularity of having a 20 ha Merlot plot with 1.6 km long rows, and that it consists mainly of red grape varieties such as Syrah, Grenache noir, Carignan, Cinsault, Caladoc, Alicante and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines from the Minervois are characterized by less roughness and more drinkable than the wines from nearby Corbières. The vineyards in the Minervois appellation are located at an altitude of 130-220 meters. The soil consists of stone and weathered sandstone. There is a Mediterranean climate. The vines are between 25-55 years old.

De La Matte is a blend of 45% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan. The grapes are destemmed and vinified separately. The Carignan grapes are given a 'maceration carbonique'. The fermentation lasts 20 days. The wine is then aged for 10 months in American oak barrels, 40% of which are new.

In the glass, the Chateau Villegly La Matte has a beautiful, rich and deep color. The nose reveals aromas of blackcurrant, violet and blackberry that evolve into notes of cocoa and sweet spices. In the mouth the wine is generous, well balanced and fruity. De La Matte is a silky, dry and fleshy wine with pronounced fruit aromas, spicy notes of fruit tarts, apples, cedar, with a mineral finish nuanced by crispy tannins. Delicious with grilled red meats such as prime rib, duck breast and ossobucco. The Château Villegly La Matte from Domaine Paul Mas, like all his wines, has a great price/quality ratio.