La Peira en Damaisela 2012

60% Syrah and 40% Grenache and aged in 60% new French oak.

‘The 2012 Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac La Peira is similar in style, with lively and fresh cassis, black raspberry, graphite, licorice and cedar notes flowing to a medium to full-bodied, profile on the palate. Pure, focused and nicely concentrated, enjoy it over the coming 10-12 years.’ (94-96) points, Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate, April 2014.

'One of reference point producers in the Languedoc, and in my view, easily one of the top estates in all of France.' Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate, April 2014.

La Pèira is a small 11.4 hectare domain located in the well drained limestone gravels of Les Terrasses du Larzac, at Saint Saturnin in the Herault department in Languedoc. The domain is owned by expatriate Australian composer Rob Dougan and his French Mauritian wife Karine Ahton (a lawyer who grew up near Montpellier). The wines are made by Jeremie Depierre and the consultant oenologist is Claude Gros, who consults to many of the regions top producers. Only estate grown fruit is used coming from 10-40 year old vines. Intensive work is done in the vineyards and the soil is worked manually to produce tiny yields (8-20hl/ha depending on the wine and vintage). Quantities of all wines here are by definition very limited with just 300 cases produced of the Grand vin, La Peira and only 500 cases of the second wine Las Flores de la Peira and fewer than 100 cases of the white blend.

Varieties cultivated include the indigenous varieties of Cinsault and Carignan together with Grenache and Syrah for the top wines, and Viognier and Roussanne for the white wine. Winemaking is done with a light touch so only a small proportion of new 500 and 600L barrels for the cuvees containing Syrah and Mourvedre, with the Carignan and Cinsault cuvees being aged in tank or larger oak. The aim is to preserve the freshness and purity of each wine with as little interference as possible so there is minimal racking and no fining or filtering.

'It has slowly become evident to me that many of the greatest Languedoc wines I have tasted come from this area [Terrasses du Larzac]. In fact just yesterday I did a vertical tasting of the wines of La Pèira, from the first 2005 vintage through to 2010 in bottle and 2011 from tank. They were shockingly, shatteringly good; it's a long while since I have tasted wines which were quite that exciting from any region. It's a jaw-dropping prospect for the future.' Andrew Jefford, April 2013.