Mas Laval

History of Mas Laval

The history of Mas Laval is that of a family rooted for three generations in the Aniane vineyard. Georges Coste, the estate's founder, laid the first stones of this family adventure in 1960 on these wild Languedoc lands, between garrigue and the Cévennes. Winegrowers at heart, successive generations passed on a deep love of the terroir and a conviction that quality begins above all with respect for the vine and the soil. Christine and Joël Laval took over the estate in the early 2000s and gave it a new qualitative impetus, notably by developing the identity of the single-plot cuvées and by refining the ageing in Burgundian barrels.

Today, the third generation — Guilhem and Florian Coste-Moynier with Christine — continues this family tradition with the same rigour and the same passion. The estate benefits from the growing renown of the Aniane vineyard, brought to light notably by the oenologist Enjalbert and by neighbouring estates such as La Grange des Pères and Daumas Gassac. The Terra Vitis certification, obtained in 2017, and the organic conversion begun in 2021 bear witness to the estate's progressive commitment to ever more environmentally respectful farming practices. Each variety is managed and aged separately before blending, guaranteeing the precision and complexity of the cuvées.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Mas Laval

The Mas Laval vineyard extends over 35 hectares, planted across several complementary terroir types around Aniane. The Syrah and Grenache plots are situated on limestone soils covered with rounded pebbles, on the hillsides close to the Arboussas massif, surrounded by garrigue and holm oaks, near the Gassac valley. The Mourvèdre, meanwhile, is planted on the silty-clay-sandy terraces of the Larzac and Seranne escarpment, a deeper and cooler terroir that encourages the slow and deep expression of this demanding variety. This geological diversity — between calcareous pebbles, clay, sand and calcareous scree — is the key to the complexity of Mas Laval's wines.

The grape variety selection is rich and diverse: in red, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, old Carignan vines and a few Aramons on the oldest hillsides. In white, Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Vermentino. This ampelographic diversity allows the production of original single-variety cuvées (Carignan, Cinsault, Mourvèdre) as well as complex blends. Work in the vineyard is meticulous: ploughing every other row, natural fertilisation, trellising, desuckering, green harvesting and manual harvesting for rigorous sorting. Terra Vitis certification since 2017, organic conversion under way since 2021.

Winemaking at Mas Laval

Winemaking at Mas Laval is traditional and minimally interventionist. Harvesting is entirely manual. Each variety is vinified separately and aged in its own vessel before the final blend prior to bottling. Macerations are long, with regular manual pigeage for gentle and harmonious extraction. Ageing varies from 8 to 24 months depending on the cuvée, in low-toast Burgundian barrels and in foudres. The Grande Cuvée benefits from the longest ageing (up to 24 months), allowing complete integration of the tannins and superior aromatic complexity. The wines are aged towards "very silky textures". Bottling is carried out without excessive filtration.

The Cuvées of Mas Laval

Terrasses du Larzac La Grande Cuvée (Red): The estate's flagship cuvée and its most ambitious expression. A blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre from the finest plots, aged up to 24 months in low-toast Burgundian barrels and foudres. "Dark and deep colour. Expressive and powerful nose with elegance throughout. La Grande Cuvée expresses all the richness of the exceptional terroir of the Terrasses du Larzac." A red wine built for long ageing, with aromas of dark fruit, garrigue, spices and integrated woody notes. Ageing potential of 10 to 15 years. The cuvée that has "greatly progressed towards very silky textures."

Les Pampres Rouge (IGP Pays d'Hérault): An entry-level red cuvée, a blend of the estate's main varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault), aged 8 to 12 months in barrels and foudres. A fruity and accessible red wine, with aromas of small red and black fruits, spices and garrigue. The estate's discovery and immediate pleasure cuvée, to be drunk within 3 to 5 years. "The southern expression of freshness and the indulgence of stone fruits."

Les Pampres Blanc (IGP Pays d'Hérault / IGP Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert): A white cuvée made from Chardonnay, Viognier, Roussanne and Vermentino. "A lovely golden colour, an expressive and complex nose with, on the palate, a perfectly mastered consistency." An aromatic and balanced white wine, expressing the richness and diversity of the estate's white varieties. The estate's main white cuvée, to accompany Mediterranean dishes.

Les Pampres Rosé (IGP Pays d'Hérault): A rosé cuvée made from the estate's red varieties, vinified by saignée or direct pressing. Pale salmon colour, nose of small red fruits and flowers, fresh and light palate. The estate's summer pleasure rosé, faithful to the Languedoc spirit.

100% Carignan (IGP Pays d'Hérault): A single-variety cuvée made from the estate's old Carignan vines, "a wine that delicately exhales all the sappy and blood-like character of this authentic variety. An irresistible Carignan that reclaims all its nobility." Ageing tailored to this often unloved variety, here revealed in all its depth and singularity.

100% Cinsault (IGP Pays d'Hérault): A single-variety cuvée made from Cinsault, "a lovely balanced and harmonious wine that expresses this beautiful southern French variety." A light and fruity red wine, with aromas of fresh red fruits and flowers, a supple and delicate palate. The lightest and most digestible expression among the estate's single-variety cuvées.

100% Mourvèdre (IGP Pays d'Hérault): A single-variety cuvée made from Mourvèdre planted on the terraces of the Larzac and Seranne escarpment. A deep and spicy red wine, with aromas of dark fruit, dried meat and oriental spices characteristic of Mourvèdre, with a firm tannic structure and an ageing potential of 8 to 12 years. The most ambitious of the single-variety cuvées.

Les P'tites Soifs Rouge, Blanc et Rosé: The estate's accessible and convivial range, available in all three colours. Wines of immediate pleasure, fruity and easy-drinking, designed to be enjoyed in any circumstances without a second thought. An entry point into the world of Mas Laval at very accessible prices.