White Coteaux du Salagou 2023 Mas des Chimères | Languedoc

The 2023 white wine from Mas des Chimères is a sunny, mineral expression of the Languedoc. Just a stone’s throw from Lake Salagou, the vines take root in red and black soil, a blend of ancient volcanic scoria and lava flows. This rugged landscape shapes a wine unlike any other, balanced between Mediterranean warmth and the coolness of the highlands. With each vintage, the estate cultivates the uniqueness of a complex terroir and transforms this interpretation into a white wine with a deeply distinctive character. The blend is the estate’s signature: Viognier, Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, Carignan Blanc, Roussanne, and Terret, grown organically and hand-harvested early in the morning to capture the freshness. Gentle winemaking and measured aging in old barrels allow the wine to flourish without aggressive intervention.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: This 2023 white from Mas des Chimères strikes a magnificent balance between richness and precision. It speaks the language of the terroir, with an intense and complex aromatic palette, without ever veering into exuberance. This Coteaux du Salagou wine offers both body and tension, fully embodying the identity of the Languedoc.

On the nose, the wine opens with delicate notes of wildflowers and herbal teas, with hawthorn, linden, and honeysuckle leading the way. Hints of white peach and acacia honey emerge with aeration. A certain mineral freshness lends lightness to the whole.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, gracefully marked by the roundness and richness typical of Roussanne and Chardonnay. The Viognier’s aromatic richness expresses itself frankly through notes of apricot, juicy nectarine, and blooming jasmine. Grenache Blanc and Terret—the Languedoc’s iconic white grape variety—provide a structure characterized by well-balanced acidity and invigorating minerality. In the background, a saline sensation evokes the signature character of the Salagou’s red and black soils.