Mas de Casalas: Natural Newcomer in Cotes-du-Rhône!

5/11/12 -

​We're very proud to be importing the lovely natural wines from Le Mas de Casalas, near Mondragon on the north side of the Massif d'Uchaux. Jerome Hue and Isabelle Supparo have 2 hectares of old vines, mostly Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault which they tend organically, producing uncommonly well-balanced and delicious wines. Directly behind their house, the north-facing slope is mostly sandstone (grés silicieux) with sandy clay and limestone. It's a beautifully tended vineyard, pruned to yield an average of about 25 hl/ha. Fermentations are long and slow with wild yeasts, and minimal extraction, aging is in concrete vat or old barrels. The only SO2 is a small dosage before bottling. The reds, though ripe and deep, have good acidity and a cool, supple character that is refreshing and gives them great versatility at the table.

​The tiny quantity of white, from Clairette, Cinsault and Grenache Blanc is aromatically pretty and complex with good weight and length. Our visit to the estate last winter was a great pleasure, not only in tasting the wines but in feeling the enthusiasm of these young winemakers who are justifiably proud of their distinctive artisanal wines. "Mas de Casalas is one of the welcome breed of newcomers seeking pure fruit and natural winemaking. Officially organic and is a biodynamic domaine. Fresh, lucid wines that are a million miles from the jammy, pumped-up productions so often found these days." (DrinkRhône)