2009 La Pèira en Damaisela, Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc
Critics reviews
An attractively rich undertone of chocolate is apt to recede slightly once this acquires its modest pre-bottling dosage of sulfur. This dynamic show should be worth following for the better part of a decade.
Rob Dougan and his winemaker Jeremie Depierre demonstrated this April that La Peira en Damaisela is not about to rest on its early and entirely merited laurels. In addition to exciting 2010 raw materials and superlative 2009 and 2008 renditions of the same four cuvees, they surprised me with three installments of a pure batch of Mourvedre that they had been holding back.
For 2009, the blend for Las Floras, exceptionally, included some Cinsault to help insure the preservation of precisely these virtues. The La Peira 2008s were able to benefit from September rain that jump-started the late ripening of Syrah and Mourvedre, while moderate temperatures throughout the season served for balanced acidity and alcohol, although today – in something of a reversal of these vintages’ usual roles – the 2009s at this address are showing more florality, charm, and elegance than their 2008 counterparts
If it were not already abundantly clear, this is now one of the three or four most exciting not to mention meticulously-run properties in the Languedoc, and as such is broadcasting the messa
An attractively rich undertone of chocolate is apt to recede slightly once this acquires its modest pre-bottling dosage of sulfur. This dynamic show should be worth following for the better part of a decade.
Rob Dougan and his winemaker Jeremie Depierre demonstrated this April that La Peira en Damaisela is not about to rest on its early and entirely merited laurels. In addition to exciting 2010 raw materials and superlative 2009 and 2008 renditions of the same four cuvees, they surprised me with three installments of a pure batch of Mourvedre that they had been holding back.
For 2009, the blend for Las Floras, exceptionally, included some Cinsault to help insure the preservation of precisely these virtues. The La Peira 2008s were able to benefit from September rain that jump-started the late ripening of Syrah and Mourvedre, while moderate temperatures throughout the season served for balanced acidity and alcohol, although today – in something of a reversal of these vintages’ usual roles – the 2009s at this address are showing more florality, charm, and elegance than their 2008 counterparts
If it were not already abundantly clear, this is now one of the three or four most exciting not to mention meticulously-run properties in the Languedoc, and as such is broadcasting the message that this region’s soils and old vines harbor abundant latent grandeur whose awakening awaits only the right combination of inspiration, labor, and luck. I just hope aspiring vintners and winery owners – not to mention wine lovers – the world over are listening!
(David Schildknecht- eRobertParker.com #196 Aug 2011)
About this WINE
La Peira
Our most exciting Languedoc find recently , La Pèira is located on the limestone plateau of the fashionable enclave of Les Terraces du Larzac.
First planted by the Romans, these beautiful vineyards share the terrain with the Roquefort-producing sheep and the wild savagery of the garrigue. The ‘Domaine’ consist of a stone barn, its location almost exactly half way between the two great properties of Grange des Pères and Mas de Daumas Gassac.
Highly respected consultant oenologist Claude Gros has really struck gold here. His secret is fairly straightforward and centres on traditional winemaking with indigenous varietals (both Carignan and Cinsault pre-date Grenache in the area).
Every single wine in the versatile Pèira portfolio is an absolute stunner; from the magisterial complexity of the white, Deusyls, through to the three reds which pretty much cover the spectrum of expectation from a great red wine; Les Obriers is fruity yet dense, Les Flors is rich yet magnificently intricate and La Pèiraen Damaisela is a terrific vin de garde, worthy of extended cellaring.
Coteaux du Languedoc
The Coteaux du Languedoc appellation is either a useful assemblage of the top enclaves in the Hérault department or an extremely unhelpful conglomeration of vastly different sub-regions which would be more helpfully categorised independently. Whatever one's opinion, it is not short of both significance and potential, running along the Mediterranean coast from Narbonne almost as far east as Nîmes, and covering over 10,000 hectares – as well as some of the most attractive and wonderfully-situated vineyards in France.
Several of its sub-appellations are fighting for full AC status, the most famous being La Clape, Picpoul de Pinet and Pic St Loup. Of the others, high quality wines are now being produced in, inter alia, Montpeyroux, Grés De Montpellier and Terrasses du Larzac. All the principle grapes are represented, with Carignan and Cinsault reduced to a maximum of 40 percent apiece to encourage more fashionable varieties, especially Syrah and Mourvèdre. The terroir is equally diverse, with limestone, schist, sand and clay all evidenced.
Other Varieties
There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.
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Description
The senior wine for the Pèira Domaine has been picked at extraordinarily low yields of 7.5 hl/ha and is, unsurprisingly extremely concentrated. Cassis, black cherry even macerated prune, then undergrowth, spice and black pepper; the wine is young of course yet already boasts an ethereal elegance that seems to be the Domaine’s Calling Card, this in spite of the richness of the wine. To achieve such a thing is an achievement indeed, and puts this wine at or near to the top of the great wines of the Languedoc.
(Simon Field MW - BBR Buyer)
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