Vintage 1998 (21st VINTAGE)
Technical sheet
Denomination:
Vin de Pays de l’Hérault.
TYPE OF SOIL:
Red Glacial deposits
GRAPE VARIETIES:
– 64.5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
– 8.8% Merlot.
– 8% Syrah.
– 6.6% Cabernet Franc.
– 5.6% Malbec.
– 2.5% Pinot noir.
– 1.4% Tannat.
-2.6% rare grape varieties: Saperavi (Géorgie).
CLIMATE:
The 1998 climate can partly explain the vintage’s sophistication : intense heat was followed by cool weather during the harvest, with regular showers bringing 20mm of water during September, freshening up the vine leaves and grapes thus avoiding overheating the very ripe fruit (6° during the harvest).
HARVEST DATES:
9 September – 23 September 1998 (9 days).
Vinification:
Slow extraction, delicate pump-over and soft infusion vinification – long fermentation and maceration (20 days at least) in stainless steel tank – no filtration
MATURING:
12 to 15 months in oak barrel (1 to 7 years old barrels).
HARVEST:
100% Manual
Folin:
67
PH:
3.71
YIELD:
35 hl/ha.
ALCOHOL BY VOL.:
13% Vol.
TOTAL ACIDITY:
3.37
This magnificent thoroughbred can be partially explained by the climate of 1998 with the intense heat of summer...
EVOLUTION OF THE VINTAGES & TASTING ADVICE:
TASTING HINTS
- To be served around 18-19°C (64°F).
- Make sure to open your bottle a few hours beforehand, but always replace the cork.
- Better still, decant the wine which will help bring out its complexity. But, do replace the stopper.
THE FIVE LIVES OF MAS DE DAUMAS GASSAC RED WINES
From the first autumn after bottling. A true basket of fruit, hints of what’s to come.
- Period of fruit
Crisp fruit and tannins to the fore. Lasts from three to seven years. A delicious and invigorating wine to drink. An absolute must. - Period of youth
Velvety tannins appear, the fruit fades. This period lasts for seven to fourteen years. The wine reveals its true complexity. - Period of maturity
Between fourteen and twenty-one years. The fruity flavours fade giving way to tertiary aromas with hints of dried roses, woodland moss, truffles, game! - Period of plenitude
Over twenty-one years, most Mas de Daumas Gassac vintages will continue to evolve into magical flavours if laid down in a cool cellar with the right humidity. A reasure for grandchildren to discover in grandad’s