Catch it for the Holidays: Mas Réserve Marsanne 2015

At the beginning of the 1990s, he worked 4 years in Bordeaux. This experience in the wine world was determining, as much as his encounter in 1992 with one of the most famous Italian winemakers, Giorgio Grai. He taught him the art of blending and to create wines with style. This teaching process has in fact never stopped!In the middle of the 1990s, he did the first blendings of the family first bottled wines at Nicole Estate : the first wine was from vintage 1995. Jean-Claude Mas is often described as a pioneer from the New Languedoc, belonging to the New wave of French wines, one of those on a mission to give Languedoc his former glory back in a region where wine production goes back to more than 2000 years.  (About Jean-Claude Mas)

This week SukasaStyle suggests a value for the Holiday Season available from the LCBO by reviewing a bottle of Mas Réserve Marsanne (2015 Vintage)  (VINTAGES # 462457 | $13.95 - 750 ml). . 

LCBO Tasting Notes:
Domaines Paul Mas owns more than 600 hectares of vineyards and works in partnership with grape growers across an additional 1,312 hectares of vines, which gives them access to 40 different grape varieties including the Marsanne seen here. Apple and starfruit aromas and flavours are joined by suggestions of pineapple and yellow cherry. Fabulous value! Pair with chicken or turkey breast, or pork tenderloin. (VINTAGES panel, Sept. 2016) 

SukasaStyle Tasting Notes:

The nose reminded us of a pineapple, honeyed melon, cantaloupe, and perhaps a hint of nut. A full bodied and rich varietal that is well balance and dry. This is a remarkably approachable wine which we would recommend  equally as a food or sipping wine. While marsanne is typically an expression of the Rhône region, this entry hails from Languedoc, located to the south-west of Rhône.

Pairing: Try with Christmas and Thanksgiving fare or (east) Asian fish and seafood centered cuisine. We paired it with Chinese style salmon served over a bed of prawn fried rice. 

Under the hood:
Conditions for the 100% marsanne 2015 vintage (as described by Domaine Paul Mas winery) follow: 

Terroir:

Wine analysis: 

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Rating: 4.5 / 5 SukasaStars
Quality Price Ratio: Excellent