REDUCED FROM 15.75 to 13.99

2006 MAS DU NOVI PRESTIGI, LANGUEDOC

An exceptional wine from the Languedoc region of France. This wine exhibits a deep purple hue with violet tints. The nose is full of luscious red fruits and plums. Young well developed tannins with good acidity and a beautiful finish.

We came across Fred Palu at a wine tasting in Bordeaux in March 2001 whilst he was speaking to a bunch of people about what he believed to be happening within the New World wine industry. After hearing Fred say that “we will speak about the New World wine industry in 10 years time as we speak about the meat industry today” he had my undivided attention; at this stage we were in the height of the meat industry scandal in relation to the mad cow disease. His beliefs reflected my own and he was expressing them with incredible passion, so I stayed and listened until he had finally finished, (he knows how to express himself) and the crowd dispersed.

Afterwards, Fred explained to me that when his father had originally decided to purchase a vineyard they began looking in South Africa as his father works in Africa. However, when they discovered what was happening with the wine industry down there they focused their attention on France and eventually purchased a magnificent vineyard in the Languedoc region.

With the help of an outstanding winemaker, Jean-Philippe Maille, they produce a range of exceptional wines that reflect admirably the terroir of that region. Their Domaine, has a long and varied history.

The Abbot Foulques founded the Valmagne Abbey in 1139 on lands given by the lord of Cabrières, vassal of Raymond Trencavel, Viscount of Béziers.

The Valmagne Abbey soon extended its outbuildings in 1145, as it became a cisterian Abbey. One of its “farm”, the “Mas del Novi” located on top of a surrounding hill with an unbeatable view of the nearby shore, was dedicated to the production of wine.

Once named “Via Domitia” between Nemausus and Baeterrae (now respectively called Nîmes and Béziers), the Saint Jacques de Compostelle path passes close by the Abbey, which was a resting place for the pilgrims. At the Mas del Novi, one can still read “Siste et Ora Viator” (Traveller, Sitdown and pray!.

In the tumultuous years after the french Revolution of 1789 , the Abbey was assaulted by local farmers who hurnt all the monks real estate documents. Thus, this vast domain was divided up into various private properties. Today , the Mas du Novi (also Named “Domaine Saint du Noviciat “ became a property of 100 ha, of wich 50 acres are under vineyards, scattered around the various buildings, including the winecellar and chapel.

The history of Languedoc wines can be traced to the first vineyards planted along the coast near Narbonne by the early Greeks in the fifth century BC. Along with parts of Provence, these are the oldest planted vineyards in France. The region of Languedoc has belonged to France since the thirteenth century and the Roussillon was acquired from Spain in the mid-seventeenth century. The two regions were joined as one administrative region in the late 1980s.

From the 4th century through the 18th and early 19th centuries, the Languedoc had a reputation for producing high quality wine. In Paris during the 14th century, wines from the St. Chinian area were prescribed in hospitals for their "healing powers". During the advent of the Industrial Age in the late 19th century, production shifted towards mass produced le gros rouge — cheap red wine that could satisfy the growing work force. The use of highly prolific grape varieties produced high yields and thin wines, which were normally blended with red wine from Algeria to give them more body.

The phylloxera epidemic in the 19th century severely affected the Languedoc wine industry, killing off many of the higher quality Vitis vinifera that were susceptible to the louse. American rootstock that was naturally resistant to phylloxera did not take well to the limestone soil on the hillside. In place of these vines, acres of the lower quality Aramon, Alicante Bouschet and Carignan were planted.

Despite the general reputation as a mass producer, parts of the Languedoc wine industry are experiencing commercial success due to outside investment and an increased focus on quality. Sales have been improved by many vineyards that concentrate on creating a good brand name rather than relying on the sometimes infamous regional designations. Some vineyards have adopted the youngest batch of AOC classifications developed in the late 1990s, while other vineyards eschew designated blends entirely and are instead shifting toward bottling single varietal wines.

Drink with red meats, classic French casseroles and grilled meat.