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Obscure French Grape Variety(?)

I've recently purchased some white 2002 Reserve de Gassac on the strength of having a bottle at a friends house, so no tasting notes, I'm afraid. It is rather good but has a taste of something I don't quite recognise. Unusually (compared with Mas de Daumas Gassac) it doesn't have a backlabel with a varietal breakdown.

Looking round the Daumas Gassac website I noticed that one of the Moulin de Gassac whites is composed of Servent, Clairette and Sauv Blanc. Two of these I know, but Servent is new to me. It isn't mentioned in Jancis Robinson's Guide to grape varieties either. Does anyone know if its a southern French name of something more well known? If not, does anyone know anything about the variety?

On a related point, anyone know how the 95 Mas de Daumas Gassac red is coming along? I last tried it in 2000 when it was hard as nails but with the most amazing nose of dried fruit, peel and treacle. I now only have one half bottle left for checking its progress.

James James Dempster (remove nospam to reply by email)

You know you've had a good night when you wake up and someone's outlining you in chalk.

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James Dempster
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It is an oriental table grape imported into Europe in 1864 by a french admiral, who brought it into Toulon and planted it in this area (where I live...). Apparently it is Moldavsky Bely. Used to be erroneously considered the same as gros vert. There are only 750 ha left in the Herault, and it is still being eliminated. There are a few hectares left in Italy.

I am not a fan of Daumas Gassac reds, only in the sense that one can find far better reds at that price in that region. Grange des Peres is only a few dollars more, but at least 10 times better. Nearby Domaine de la Marfee is cheaper, and much better than red DG. Same goes for Barral, Aupilhac, Peyre Rose, etc..

I do like DG whites, they have a nice freshness when young, although the viognier can be overpowering and heavy, and I have often experienced banana aromas on very young wines. With time they mellow out and become very complex and elegant, yet maintaining their southern character.

Mike

Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France email link

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Mike Tommasi

Many thanks. A real oddity!

I paid GBP 12 or so per bottle, including duty and VAT so I'm quite happy with it.

James James Dempster (remove nospam to reply by email)

You know you've had a good night when you wake up and someone's outlining you in chalk.

Reply to
James Dempster

: I am not a fan of Daumas Gassac reds, only in the sense that one can : find far better reds at that price in that region. Grange des Peres is : only a few dollars more, but at least 10 times better. Nearby Domaine : de la Marfee is cheaper, and much better than red DG. Same goes for : Barral, Aupilhac, Peyre Rose, etc..

Mike, I'll second the Domaine de la Marfee: good wines at good prices (I think I paid US$ 10 for their basic red). Stopped drinking Daumas Gassac reds after the 1989 vintage, which I had bought at good prices back then.

: I do like DG whites, they have a nice freshness when young, although : the viognier can be overpowering and heavy, and I have often : experienced banana aromas on very young wines. With time they mellow : out and become very complex and elegant, yet maintaining their : southern character.

: Mike

: Mike Tommasi, Six Fours, France : email link

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