Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette - Le Grand Pas 2011

Julien Zernott and Delphine Rousseau acquired this vineyard in 2002; it is situated on terraces surrounded by dry-stone walls. Perched at an altitude of 350 meters across some twenty hectares at the foot of the Larzac Plateau, the vines are cultivated organically, bathed in a cool, windy microclimate, and benefit from the terroir of limestone scree from the Causse and the area’s rich biodiversity. The common thread here is freshness, made possible by the vineyard’s altitude; it is evident in every wine, without exception, making this estate stand out among the Larzac terraces by striking the perfect balance between freshness and structure. This estate is a sure bet and a must-visit; we have no regrets about the third star it was recently awarded and see constant improvements even in its entry-level wines.

The Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette has 20 hectares of biodynamic vineyards, planted on terraces featuring dry-stone walls known as “clapas.” It is perched at an elevation of 350 meters in the foothills of the Larzac. Julien Zernott and Delphine Rousseau settled there in 2003. Drawing on the rich biodiversity of the surrounding area and using only organic products, they cultivate the vineyard using methods that respect nature.

Tasted from the bottle, the 2011 Le Grand Pas is a wine that has it all! Bursting with notes of meat, vanilla, a spice rack, and sweet, sun-drenched red berries, this medium-bodied, beautifully textured wine will reveal its full richness over the next 5 to 7 years. A blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah aged for 18 months in wooden vats—not to be missed.

The 2011 Grand Pas is the most well-rounded red—both deep and rich—built on a ripe, dense structure: a wine to be aged for two years in the cellar.

Delphine and Julien Zernott started from scratch in 2003 on a plot located in the far northwest of the Terrasses du Larzac, in the cool climate region of Pégairolles-de-l'Escalette. Twenty-three vintages later, the couple has elevated their wine portfolio to the highest level. Their vineyard consists of some fifty terraces on limestone scree, with a high proportion of very old vines. For several years now, the wines they produce have been at the very top of their game, expressing themselves with grace, appeal, and complexity. They are very close to earning that third star.