4 and 6 bottle levels    $23 (member price $20)
100% Pinot Noir   13.0% ABV

Jean Claude Mas is a 4^th generation grapegrower in Languedoc-Roussilon.  His wines are tasty for the money, and his empire keeps growing, purchasing vineyards and buying fruit from other growers.  We’ve been featuring about one of his wines per year in club.  In Limoux, he produces Crémant de Limoux and Pinot Noir.  In this case, it’s a single vineyard Pinot, named after a French naturalist who studied animal anatomy, with the clay and limestone soil typical of the area.  Aged in a combination of neutral French oak and stainless steel.  Strawberry, red cherry, cinnamon, vanilla.  This wine is ripe enough to appeal to Cali drinkers. 

Food Pairing Suggestions:
This seductively silky red blend with a hint of earthiness pairs beautifully with regional dishes such as classic boeuf Provençal, duck cassoulet and beef burgundy. Up your dinner party game by serving this red with roasted leg of lamb with mint pesto, herb-encrusted roasted pork tenderloin with root vegetables, stuffed beef braciole with red wine risotto, saucy venison stew and beef stir fry with white rice and vegetables. You might as well pick up a second bottle for the cheese course and serve it up with warm truffle oil drizzled Brie, aged Cheddar, Roquefort, and charcuterie.