Mas Origine
Mas Origine is a brand new estate in Montpeyroux. It was set up by Julien Fabregat and Laura Balsan, with a first vintage in 2022. Julien had studied at Montpellier and then worked for an estate in the Pic St Loup, Chateau Valcyre, which is now known as Domaine Uma, and he has also taught wine-making, but supported by Laura, who is a nurse, he wanted to do his own thing and work for himself, to faire vivre un domaine. Laura has subsequently done some wine studies, so that they both qualify as jeune viticulteurs and have formed a GAEC. There is no wine in her family, but Julien’s grandfather had some vines in the nearby village of St. Bauzille. So they have mostly rented their vineyards, some 17 hectares, in some 22 plots, around Mo ntpeyroux, and in the neighbouring villages of Lagamas, Arboras and St André de Sangonis. And they have built a functional cellar, equipping it completely from scratch. There are fibre glass and stainless steel tanks, and just six barrels for their Terrasses du Larzac, and three for Montpeyroux, and an amphora for some Carignan Blanc. Their press is new and the vats are second hand. And they are particularly pleased with their tractor.
You sense that they have their feet firmly on the ground and that they are gradually increasing their production, and not trying to sell everything in bottle all at once. It takes time to build up a clientele, so some vineyards are committed to the Montpeyroux coop for five years and they also sell some wine in bulk to the négoce. They want to keep everything on a manageable scale.
We settled down for some tasting in their welcoming tasting room. They were hosting a pop up guinguette, or open-air café later that evening…..
2025 La Cloche Pied, Languedoc - 12.50€
The translation for cloche pied may be hop or indeed hopscotch and the label is quite humorous. This comes from three plots of mainly old vines, mainly Grenache Blanc, as well Carignan Blanc and Marsanne. From vineyards in Lagamas. Blended in December. 13% Redolent of white flowers on the nose and palate. Very good texture and satisfying mouthfeel. Good depth and length. Un joli amer on the finish which gives a lift.
2023 Le Voleur de Temps, Languedoc - 25.00€
Mainly Grenache blanc, with the Carignan blanc that has been aged in an amphora, for 12 months. No lees stirring.
Quite a firm dry stony nose. Almost severe. Much firmer and drier, and more elegant and tight knit than La Cloche Pied. Very focussed with very good acidity.
2025 Mon Petit Doigt M’a Dit, Rosé - 9.00€
Pure Cinsaut - 60 years old vines. From Julien’s grandfather’s 30 ares at St Bauzille. He is the only one of the 13 grandchildren to appreciate wine. 13% Direct pressing
Pale orange pink. A very fresh nose. Lightly rounded, ripe but not heavy. Good weight and texture. A satisfying food rosé
2023 Ouverture du Bal, Montpeyroux - 14.00€
70% Grenache with 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre. 14 months in vat. Medium young colour. Fresh red fruit. Light cherries. Supple and fresh, with a streak of supple tannins Easy drinking
2023 Au Bout des Doigts, Terrasses du Larzac - 17.00€
A blend of 50% Syrah, and 25% each Grenache and Mourvèdre. From vineyards in Arboras and Montpeyroux. Aged in vat. Quite a fresh peppery nose with some supple rich fruit on the palate, balanced with some peppery Syrah. A firm tannic streak. And a serious mouthful of wine.
2023 Les Racines du Ciel, Terrasses du Larzac - 27.00€
60% Syrah, with 20% each of Mourvèdre and Grenache. Aged in barrels - 2 or 3 fills - for 12 months. Some spicy and fruit on nose and palate. Quite intense with some ripe fruit and supple tannins. Oak is present, but the palate is not too oaky. A tannic streak on the finish. Will benefit from some bottle age.
2023 La Promesse des Pierres, Montpeyroux
70% Mourvèdre with 15% each of Syrah and Grenache aged in barrel. Medium colour. Quite solid and dense on the nose and palate, with concentrated flavours. Ripe, rounded and dense, with ageing potential.
And then we talked about challenges - what’s the biggest?Laura’s reply was la grandeur du projet. The size of the project. We’ve never built anything before and it’s like building cathedral. But you sense that their expectations are realistic and they fully deserve to succeed in these difficult time. And I thought their labels were fun and above all eye-catching.
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