Mas de Daumas Gassac, Languedoc (France)

"A Lafite in Languedoc " (Gault & Millau)
"More like Latour than Lafite" (Jane MacQuitty)
"The only grand cru of the Languedoc " (Hugh Johnson)
"Two major grand crus" (Oz Clarke)
"Exceptional" (Robert Parker)

Mas de Daumas Gassac, the estate of the Guibert de la Vaissière family, is generally regarded as the Languedoc's greatest wine, perhaps the only truly world-class wine the region has to offer.

The vineyard consists of 18 hectares of north-west facing slopes which enables the organically produced, manually harvested grapes on the low yielding vines (maximum 37 hectolitres per hectare) to become fully ripe whilst retaining their expression of the exceptional terroir. Vinification techniques were introduced here by the legendary oenologist, Emile Peynaud. Wines are designated vins de pays since the main grape (of the red grand vin) is Cabernet Sauvignon which is not permitted in by the AC. This makes up around 80% of the wine with the balance comprising some 20 other varietals, many of which are virtually unknown to most consumers. The white is an attractive blend which includes Viognier

In addition to the grand vin, the family oversees a negoçiant operation in the valley, producing a range of wines under the Moulin de Gassac label. These are generally good, straightforward expressions of the varietals and blends used.

The family has always practised organic viticulture and vinification although, to date, it has not sought certification.