{"product_id":"2020-domaines-paul-mas-clos-astelia-le-grand-blanc","title":"2020 Domaines Paul Mas Clos Astelia Le Grand Blanc","description":"\u003cp\u003eClos Astelia Le Grand Blanc from Domaines Paul Mas is a striking, organically certified white that captures the new face of Languedoc: refined, modern and deeply rooted in its terroir. Crafted by Jean-Claude Mas as part of his visionary Clos Astelia project, this cuvée blends Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Piquepoul into a luxurious yet vibrant expression of the IGP Terre du Midi. It’s a wine that marries ‘rural luxury’ with cutting-edge, gravity-fed winemaking and biodynamic-inspired vineyard work, showcasing just how far Languedoc has come as a region for top-quality wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, Clos Astelia Le Grand Blanc shows a shining, pale to medium golden hue with a bright, almost crystalline clarity that hints at both richness and freshness. The nose is subtle yet complex, opening with elegant notes of white currant and delicate rose, followed by layers of white stone fruit, a gentle touch of licorice, and well-integrated vanilla and sweet spice from its time in oak.\n\nOn the palate, this is a powerful and concentrated white with a round, enveloping mouthfeel, balanced by a fresh, precise line of acidity. Flavors of ripe orchard and white fruits are intertwined with hints of floral Viognier lift, a touch of Grenache Blanc creaminess, and the saline, citrus-edged snap of Piquepoul. Discreet oak notes and a fine mineral streak carry through to a long, balanced finish. Properly cellared, this vintage has the structure and freshness to evolve gracefully for several more years, gaining additional complexity and nuance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe grapes for Clos Astelia Le Grand Blanc come from organically farmed vineyards in the IGP Terre du Midi, situated around 120 metres above sea level on gravelly clay-limestone soils enriched with pockets of black clay. This combination of altitude, drainage and mineral-rich terroir underpins both the wine’s power and its natural freshness. All fruit is harvested by hand to ensure optimum selection and gentle handling. In the gravity-fed winery, whole clusters are carefully bruised rather than aggressively crushed, and each grape variety is fermented separately for 3–4 weeks at a cool 16°C to preserve aromatics. The initial part of fermentation takes place in vats before the wine is transferred to oak barrels, where it completes both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged 5–7 months in oak, adding texture and complexity, and finally bottled without the addition of sulfites, allowing it to develop further in bottle before release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClos Astelia Le Grand Blanc is a versatile gastronomic white that shines both on its own and at the table. Its combination of richness, freshness and subtle oak makes it an excellent match for refined fish dishes (roasted white fish, turbot, halibut or cod with beurre blanc), mixed salads with grilled seafood or poultry, and lighter, creamy preparations. It pairs beautifully with soft cheeses such as Brie, goat’s cheese and Ossau-Iraty, as well as delicately spiced vegetable dishes. Serve at around 12°C—slightly cooler than cellar temperature but not fridge-cold—to allow the aromatics and texture to fully express themselves. A short decant of 20–30 minutes can help the wine open up, especially in its youth, revealing additional layers of spice and minerality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDomaines Paul Mas traces its roots back to 1892, but it is under the leadership of Jean-Claude Mas that the estate has become a driving force in the renaissance of Languedoc wines. Often described as a ‘wine wizard’, Jean-Claude has championed the idea of ‘Le Luxe Rural’—rural luxury—by combining traditional terroir with modern winemaking and a keen sense of style. Through his work with both international and native varieties, he has helped make Languedoc’s personality exciting and relevant again for wine lovers worldwide. Clos Astelia, named from the letters of his four daughters’ names (Astrid, Elisa, Apolline and Estelle), represents his high-end, from-scratch project: a carefully chosen estate, state-of-the-art, nature-inspired winery, and meticulous, biodynamic-influenced viticulture. Today, Domaines Paul Mas is considered one of the key quality benchmarks in the region, with Clos Astelia standing at the pinnacle of its ambitious, grand cru–styled wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Mas","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251822383441,"sku":"GCW-PMAS-20324-4","price":32.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2020_Domaines_Paul_Mas_Clos_Astelia_Le_Grand_Blanc.png?v=1783441641","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2020-domaines-paul-mas-clos-astelia-le-grand-blanc","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}