Unlike Mas de Daumas Gassac’s estate wines, Guilhem Rouge is sourced from growers across the Pays d’Hérault in the Languedoc. The 25-50 year old vines are planted on limestone and clay-limestone soils. The Mediterranean sun is tempered in the vineyards planted on the hills of Villeveyrac. Along with elevation keeping the resulting wines fresh, fruit is also sourced from an amphitheatre of vines that face cooling breezes from the Mediterranean Sea and the port of Sète.
With the aim of this Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan blend to be fruit-driven and approachable, most of the wine is aged in stainless steel rather than new oak. Older barrels are used alongside a small portion of new oak to slightly soften the wine’s texture without imparting strong woodsy flavours or aromas.
Tasting Note
There’s a crack of freshly ground black pepper on top of bursting red fruit aromas and baking spice before weaving into ripe black cherries, plum, cassis and dried herbs on the palate. Supple tannins and texture bolster this medium to full-bodied wine.
Food Pairing
This wine calls for some simplicity with oomph. If you’re “cooking” but really you just want to put things on a plate, we suggest charcuterie that includes some gamier selections or even a spicy calabrese salami to stand up to the wine’s ripe fruit. Alternatively, the acidity in a tomato-based pasta sauce would be lovely against the suppleness of the Moulin de Gassac 2023 Guilhem Rouge.