2011 La P̩ira "Les Obriers de la P̩ira" Terrasses du Larzac

Bigger and richer, with more black fruits, ground pepper, forest floor and resinous scrub brush, the 2011 Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac Les Obriers (65% Cinsault, 35% Carignan) is medium-bodied, layered and textured on the palate, with a terrific finish. Drink it over the coming 4-6 years. One of the 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)