Domaine La Pèira en Damaisèla: presentation of the great vintages

Domaine La Pèira en Damaisèla : AOC Terrasses du Larzac

Introducing Domaine La Pèira

The estate La Pèira en Damaisèlalocated in the Languedoc-Roussillon, began its adventure only in 2004. This superb estate lies at the heart of the wild Terrasses du Larzac landscape. An estate that has only recently come into being, and yet, in such a short space of time, it has been a beacon for the appellation in recent years. It has made a major contribution to changing the landscape, the nature and the horizon of the appellation. Their secret? The domaine's winemakers have "quite simply" (in a manner of speaking) set the bar very high, whether in terms of production quality, an unspeakable demand, sometimes pointed out as a requirement above that of Bordeaux's premier crus classés or Burgundy's grands crus. The quest for excellence is more than testing!

Property of Robert Dougan and Karine AshtonThe vineyard covers 11.4 hectares. " Notable terroirs/places-dits include "Bois de Pauliau", "Belle Fiolle" (Bellefeuille) and "Les Pointes". Very clayey soil with stony deposits. A subsoil of alluvium dating from the Pliocene age. The deposits come from the north, from the limestone mountains of the Jurassic period, some 150 million years old. Gravel (a mixture of sand, silt and clay) is deposited in stream beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. "In terms of grape varieties, Domaine La Pèira en Damaisèla produces Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Carignan, Viogner, Roussanne, Marsanne and Clairette blanche. In terms of yield, the estate produces around 300 cases of grand vin and 500 cases of La Flors de la Pèira. Find out more on the domaine's website.

 

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The Terrasses du Larzac appellation

The appellation Terrasses du Larzac is located in the northern part of the Hérault department. It includes the old villages of Montpeyroux and St Saturnin. The weather here is exceptional, with very hot, very long summers! Winters are harsher than the regional average, but that's not a problem thanks to the extra-fast arrival of spring, with a continuity of "fine weather" in autumn. One of the special features of the Terrasses du Larzac is the series of hills that form a natural boundary. These rise to over 800 meters. The terroirs included in the appellation are located at heights of between 50 and 300 meters on the Causse hills and old terraces. For the record, it was the Romans who first cultivated vines on the Terrasses du Larzac. The land near Lodève was very attractive, stretching along the Roman Way, a very famous and frequented route in the past, a key element in the distribution and circulation of merchants since it linked Cessero (St. Thibéry), to Segodunum (Rodez). In AOC Terrasse du Larzac, the blending of at least two grape varieties is mandatory. Rules apply to grape varieties:

• Syrah, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre must account for a minimum of 60 %, with an individual limit of 75 %.
• Syrah and/or Mourvèdre must reach a minimum of 20 %.
• Cinsault may not exceed 30 %
• Carignan noir is limited to 40 %

 

 

Presentation of Domaine La Pèira en Damaisèla wines

Domaine La Pèira "Matissat 2007" AOC Terrasses du Larzac: Robert Parker: 93/100

GRAPE VARIETIES: Mostly Mourvèdre

PARCELS : Les Bois de Pauliau (0,42 ha)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: By David Schildknecht on August 31, 2011

"There's an intriguing maritime perfume here, as well as notes of ripe plum and pungent herbs. Rich mocha and chocolate accompanied by candied purple plum are tinged with berry, kelp, iodine, salt and crushed stone, on a dense palate rich in fine tannins. For sumptuousness and sheer persistence, it's hard to top, even within La Peira's exceptional stable, though it lacks the dynamism or floral dimension of its 2007 siblings."

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Domaine La Pèira " La Pèira 2008 " AOC Terrasses du Larzac : Robert Parker : 95/100

GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre

PARCELS : Les Bois de Pauliau (2.5 ha)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: By Jeb Dunnuck on June 30, 2016

"A little hidden gem, the Terrasses du Larzac la Peira 2008 offers a luscious, complex, full-bodied and elegant style that shines in the vintage, and in fact, it could be one of the best wines from the south of France in the vintage. Giving up a terrific perfume of peppery herbs (there's that classic Languedoc resinous brush), black fruit, truffle and crushed stone, it has lovely concentration on the mid-palate, a healthy underlying structure and impeccable balance. It shows incredible freshness and purity today, but will cellar easily through 2026. It's certainly not one of the most exuberant vintages, but it shows incredible class."

 

 

Domaine La Pèira "La Pèira 2013" AOC Terrasses du Larzac: Robert Parker: 95-97/100

GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre

PARCELS : Les Bois de Pauliau (2.5 ha)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: By Jeb Dunnuck

"Turning now to their flagship cuvée, La Pèira Terrasses du Larzac 2013 expresses all the purity and freshness of the vintage. Tasted en primeur, this blend of predominantly Syrah with 30% Grenache impresses with aromas of raspberry, blackcurrant and violets, floral nuances and exotic notes of spice and licorice. On the palate, this full-bodied to medium-bodied wine showcases its fruitiness, proving spirited and resolutely elegant in a very fresh register. As with the other 2013 primeur samples, this wine promises to improve in barrel, gaining in consistency and richness. Given its great purity and beautiful balance, I think it will be relatively accessible as soon as it's released, while still being capable of aging for a few more years."

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Domaine La Pèira "La Pèira 2014" AOC Terrasses du Larzac: 93-96/100 Robert Parker

GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre

PARCELS : Les Bois de Pauliau (2.5 ha)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: April 28, 2016 by Jeb Dunnuck

"One of the vintages of the 2014 vintage will be Terrasses du Larzac la Peira, from a single vineyard parcel next to the estate and a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre aged at 40% new barrels. Its inky color is followed by fabulous notes of blackberry, pepper, oxblood and violet. Big, rich, full-bodied and well-balanced, with a good mid-palate and tons of chocolatey fruit on the finish, it's less concentrated than the 2015, but will evolve well in terms of its balance."

 

Domaine La Pèira : La Pèira 2015 "AOC Terrasses du Larzac": 94-96+/100 Robert Parker

GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre

PARCELS : Les Bois de Pauliau (2.5 ha)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: April 28, 2017 by Jeb Dunnuck

"A blend of 45% each of Grenache and Syrah, with Mourvèdre balance, Terrasses du Larzac la Peira 2015 is aged mainly in older oak, but with a small percentage of new. This is a bigger, richer, more concentrated wine than Las Flors, offering serious notes of graphite, woodsmoke, redcurrants and crushed rocks. Tannic, backward and structured, don't even think about touching the bottles for at least 3-4 years."

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Domaine La Pèira "Las Flors 2015" Terrasses du Larzac: 94-96+/100 Robert Parker

GRAPE VARIETIES: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan

PARCELS : Belle Fiole (Belle-Feuille)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: April 28, 2017 by Jeb Dunnuck

"The blend of 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre, aged mainly in older barrels, offers wonderful notes of black raspberry, cassis, graphite and pepper. Full-bodied, voluptuous and decadent, yet always pure and impeccably balanced, it will be almost impossible to resist release. It has a vibrant ruby color to go with candied notes, raspberries, blackberries, violets and garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, pure, with ripe tannins, good acidity and terrific length, it will have 10 to 12 years of overall longevity."

 

 

Domaine La Pèira "Matissat 2015" AOC Terrasses du Larzac: 93-95+/100 Robert Parker

GRAPE VARIETIES: Mostly Mourvèdre

PARCELS : Les Bois de Pauliau (0,42 ha)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: April 28, 2016 by Jeb Dunnuck

"The Terrasses du Larzac Matissat 2015 is dominated by Mourvèdre and will see two years in barrels, some of which are new. Minerals, blackcurrant, smoky earth and iron emerge from this thick, rich 2015 coated in ripe tannins and a big finish. There's enough fruit and depth here to offer some pleasure on release, but short-term cellaring should be the name of the game."

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Domaine La Pèira "Deusyls 2016" IGP Pays de l'Hérault: 90-92/100 Robert Parker

VARIETY: Roussane, Marsanne, Clairette and Grenache blanc

PARCELS: Belle Fiole (Belle-Feuille)/ Les Pointes

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: April 28, 2017 by Jeb Dunnuck

"Made with 50% of Roussanne and the rest Clairette and Viognier, the 2016 Deusyls de la Peira is a ripe peach, pineapple and tropical-scented beauty that has medium-bodied richness and terrifying purity. Like everything here, it's impeccably made."

 

 

Domaine La Pèira "La Pèira blanc 2016" IGP Pays de l'Hérault: 93-95/100 Robert Parker

VARIETIES: Viognier 50%, Roussane 50%

PARCELS : Belle Fiole (Belle-Feuille)

SOIL: Stony, alluvial deposits (Pliocene age). These deposits came mainly from the Jurassic limestone mountains (around 150 million years old) to the north. Gravel (along with sand, silt and clay) was deposited in creek beds and in what are known as alluvial fans. Deep, porous, permeable, well-drained and well-ventilated, with sufficient clay content for hydric and cationic nutrient requirements - a significant plus for a non-irrigated regime, especially in times of low rainfall.

TASTING: April 28, 2017 by Jeb Dunnuck

"The domaine's white cuvée consists of one-third Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Unfortunately, only three barrels of Terrasses du Larzac La Peira Blanc 2016 will be produced. This is a more imposing, richer and more substantial wine than the 'Deusyls' cuvée, offering aromas of pineapple, white peach, flowers and brioche on the nose. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with first-rate purity and freshness, this is probably the white wine of the 2016 vintage."

SOME WINE REVIEWS ON PÈIRA

"Make no mistake about it, this wine, like the estate from which it comes, stands resolutely apart." Jancis Robinson (The Financial Times) on La Pèira

"Arguably one of the best wineries in all of France" Jeb Dunnuck Wine Advocate

"For many observers, this is the most exciting estate in the Languedoc." Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

"The proof of its greatness is that it forced me to rethink my personal pantheon" Andrew Jefford (Decanter)

"The best producer in Languedoc Roussillon". Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate)

"Wines that can stand comparison with the world's icons among great wines." David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate)

Find all the great vintages of Domaine La Pèira on Comptoir des Millésimes.

All wines are in stock and available for purchase. The Domaine La Pèira wines we stock come directly from the estate. This means we can guarantee you bottles of authentic, estate-produced quality.

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The new 2017 vintage!

It's a testament to the work of all the members of the La Pèira team, and in particular winemakers Jérémie Depierre (vintages 2004-2014) and Audrey Bonnet-Koenig (from 2015). A great testimony also to the exceptional viticultural terroirs of La Pèira's localities: Bois de Pauliau and Eglise de La Pèira. Reviews of the 2016 vintage ("...a contender for perfection' - Jeb Dunnuck) and the 2017 vintage. ('...La Pèira 2017 is awesome'). All this serves to underline a central point: that in a context of today's wine world where true excellence is stratospheric and often out of reach, La Pèira delivers world class while remaining at the cutting edge of technology.

2017: small quantity, great quality

As in France as a whole, 2017 was characterized by a harvest of declining quantity and high quality. As Jancis Robinson reports, the "condition
of the fruit at harvest was generally very good, so the more quality-conscious have the potential to produce excellent wines". The Guild of Regional Wine Fellows (compiled by Andrew Jefford) gives the vintage a rating of four out of five glasses ('Excellent'). In the Wine Advocate, the vintage is referred to as "in circulation", and its maturity is characterized by the symbol T' (indicating that the wine is still tannic, young or slow to mature).

• To sum up the 2017 vintage of La Pèira en Damaisèla:

- Aromatic suggestion of black fruits, floral qualities, spices (pepper), pencil lead.
- Full-bodied reds worthy of their richness and complexity, with length and a high degree of fruit purity, balance and elegance.
- Fine, silky tannins, soft and silky.
- A very successful third vintage!

• La Pèira 2017: 95-97/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Cuvée La Pèira 2017 is brilliant! This wine is one of the most wonderful in the Languedoc. Superb notes of black fruit, black pepper, graphite. Well-balanced tannins, you can feel the purity of the fruit notes, freshness, real structure. A very elegant wine that will be even better after a few years.

• La Pèira Matissat 2017: 94-96+/100 Jeb Dunnuck

A wine for Mourvèdre lovers. 100% Mourvèdre, it offers a formidable perfume of blackberries, spicy meat, pepper and earth, which develops magnificently over time in the mouth.
the glass. As with all these bottles from the 2017 vintage, it is more elegant than the other cuvées. It gains richness and depth as it airs. Medium to full
full-bodied, nicely balanced, with silky tannins. Best left 3-4 years in bottle, it should keep for 15-20 years.

• Las Flors de La Pèira 2017: 92-95/100 Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Terrasses du Larzac Las Flors de la Pèira 2017 is a blend of 30% Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah, plus 5% Carignan and Cinsault. Still in barrel, it is full-bodied but shows beautifully delineated spring notes. Flowers, mixed red and black fruits and a dusting of baking spices on the long finish,

 

News from the La Pèira estate

► The news at La Peira is the relocation of former winemaker, Jérémie Depierre, and the arrival of new winemaker Audrey Bonnet-Koenig, originally from Strasbourg, Alsace. Audrey studied in Bordeaux, working with Château Doisy Daëne and Château Cheval Blanc, before working in the Languedoc at Château de Sérame. She has also joined forces with Claude Gros, who has advised from the outset. In addition, they have added a new wine called "Luteva", which is a more regional blend with the idea of putting high-quality Languedoc wines in the hands of the consumer at a great price. These are brilliant wines that are well worth the effort of keeping an eye on the market and the news from the estate.

► Do you know the owner Robert Dougan? Better known as Rob D., you may have heard one of his works in the film "The Matrix. Indeed, before his reconversion, he worked in the field of electronic music. Here's a sneak preview of one of his productions on the soundtrack to "The Matrix :