Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette : Mas Rousseau 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for "Mas Rousseau" 2024 from Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette

Tasting Notes

Appearance
The colour reveals a pale yellow hue, illuminated by delicate silvery highlights.

Nose
Wonderfully fine, the aromatic bouquet opens with floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine. It then reveals aromas of white and yellow-fleshed fruit, subtly enhanced by hints of menthol, beeswax and a touch of spice.

Palate
The attack is direct and taut, offering superb freshness. The palate seduces with its lovely texture and complexity, extending into a long finish marked by remarkable saline persistence.

Food and Wine Pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with iodine-rich dishes such as sea bream tartare or raw fish. It also elegantly accompanies chicken with candied lemon, as well as fresh or pressed-curd cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully enjoy the "Mas Rousseau" 2024, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This wine can be enjoyed now, but will continue to evolve favourably until around 2032.

The Saline and Floral Expression of a White Wine from Languedoc

The Estate

Nestled in the heart of Languedoc, Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette was officially founded in 2003 by winegrowing couple Delphine Rousseau and Julien Zernott, who remain its owners to this day. Located at an altitude of 350 metres, this family-run estate spans around twenty hectares of terraced vineyards. Deeply committed to environmental stewardship, the estate is certified organic and biodynamic. It stands out for its dedication to showcasing historic southern French grape varieties on high-altitude terroirs, producing wines renowned for their freshness and tension.

The Vineyard

Classified as IGP Pays de l'Hérault, this single-plot cuvée comes from a unique 30-are vineyard located in the Pégairolles de l'Escalette valley. The vines, grown from a massal selection of old vines, thrive at an altitude of 350 metres on terraces of limestone scree supported by dry-stone walls known as clapas. This high-altitude terroir, farmed organically and biodynamically with gentle pruning and limited yields, benefits from a cool climate that promotes slow, balanced ripening of the grapes.

Winemaking and Ageing

The grapes are hand-harvested to preserve the integrity of the berries. In the cellar, the philosophy is minimal intervention, with no fining or stabilisation. Alcoholic fermentation of the "Mas Rousseau" 2024 takes place in foudre using indigenous yeasts, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged on fine lees in 400 to 600-litre wooden foudres for just under nine months, adding complexity and texture while preserving the purity of the fruit.

Grape Variety

This wine is made exclusively from Carignan Blanc (100%).