2012 La P̩ira "La P̩ira en Damais̩la" Terrasses du Larzac

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. One of reference point producers in the Languedoc, and in my view, easily one of the top estates in all of France, La Peira en Damaisela was created in 2004 by Australian composer Rob Dougan, with the talented Jeremie Depierre making the wines. Covering 11 hectares of gravely, rocky soils in the Terrasses du Larzac region, they produce a single white, based on Roussanne and Viognier, and four red cuvees; the Cinsault/Carignan-driven Les Obriers; the Grenache heavy (includes 25% Syrah and smaller parts Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan) Las Flors de La Peira; their top wine, the La Peira, which is a 60/40 blend of Syrah and Grenache; and a tiny amount of pure Mourvedre, the Matissat. (JD)