La Pèira Blanc- Millésimes
La Pèira Blanc 2018
VDP HERAULT
After the better part of a decade, planting and growing white varieties and planning, the estate bottled the La Pèira Blanc. A blend Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with the addition of Clairette blanche in some vintages, it is the white counterpart to the La Pèira grand vin. The plots where the cepages that make the La Pèira Blanc are demarcated on the linked map (see map). Average production: 1000 bottles. La Pèira Blanc Overview (PDF).
2018 MILLÉSIME / VINTAGE
Mild wet winter and sping lead to significant losses due to mildew with heavy rain during May and June. Around 30% of crop was lost at La Pèira due to mildew in 2018. July and August saw warm summer weather return. A warm August and September led to an unpressured harvest. (La Pèira 2018 Vintage presentation PDF)
Wine Advocate 91-93 "full-bodied and creamy in texture, a rich white that retains a bit of citrus zest on the finish to provide lift and freshness.
The tiny production of the 2018 La Pèira Blanc consists of three barrels: two of Roussanne and one of Viognier. Blended in those proportions, it’s not overly floral but instead delivers ripe apricot and pineapple notes. It’s full-bodied and creamy in texture, a rich white that retains a bit of citrus zest on the finish to provide lift and freshness.
Jancis Robinson 17 "Distinctly Condrieu-ish"
Mid greenish yellow. Relatively youthful, muted nose but with everything in the right place. Very powerful Viognier character here – ripe apricots with a savoury undertow. Distinctly Condrieu-ish. Some spice is bubbling up too, but not in an oak idiom. Any oak is exceptionally discreet in these three whites (2016, 2017 and this 2018). Very well done! Though the alcohol is dangerously high and I recommend being careful not to serve this too warm – yet not so cool as to subdue the subtle aromas.
La Pèira Blanc 2017
VDP HERAULT
After the better part of a decade, planting and growing white varieties and planning, the estate bottled the La Pèira Blanc. A blend Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with the addition of Clairette blanche in some vintages, it is the white counterpart to the La Pèira grand vin. The plots where the cepages that make the La Pèira Blanc are demarcated on the linked map (see map).
2017 MILLÉSIME / VINTAGE
Cold winter with good rainfall was followed by a warm spring. A cooler April here, as in Bordeaux and Burgundy, affected budburst and the flowering. A dry summer and low rainfall (again as with the 2017 vintage in Bordeaux and Burgundy) saw small berries resulting in reduced yields. Where the Hérault faired quite differently to other regions was the fair weather over the harvest period. This produced fine-quality wines but in small quantities.
Jancis Robinson 16.5 "Exotic, fully ripe, blossomy hedgerow aromas"
Deeper, yellower gold than the 2016. Exotic, fully ripe, blossomy hedgerow aromas. Much fatter and more evolved than the 2016. This is no aperitif! But could sit happily with a rich shellfish dish, not least because it does finish with a kick of citrus, even lime-peel, acidity. A very interesting, but already fully formed, wine.
La Pèira Blanc 2016
VDP HERAULT
After the better part of a decade, planting and growing white varieties and planning, the estate bottled the La Pèira Blanc. A blend Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with the addition of Clairette blanche in some vintages, it is the white counterpart to the La Pèira grand vin. The plots where the cepages that make the La Pèira Blanc are demarcated on the linked map (see map).
2016 MILLÉSIME / VINTAGE
A mild dry winter led to anearly budding and cool spring. This was followed by a warm dry summer (at the time said to be the dryest since 1944). Yields were down and quality said to be high espcially in appellations situated farthest from the sea.
Wine Advocate 93-95 "probably the white wine of the vintage
The white cuvee of the estate checks in as a blend of one-third each of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne, and unfortunately, there’s only going to be three barrel of the 2016 Terrasses du Larzac La Peira Blanc produced. It’s a bigger, richer, more substantial wine than the Deusyls cuvee and offers loads of pineapple, white peach, flowers and hints of brioche on the nose. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with first-rate purity and freshness, it’s probably the white wine of the vintage.
Jancis Robinson 17 "Satin texture and excellent cut of acidity."
Crystal-clear greenish yellow. Headily floral perfume seems informed by the Viognier. Little notes of hazelnuts too. Satin texture and excellent cut of acidity. Very youthful for a three-year-old wine. Carries its alcohol well. Just a tiny bit of texture on the end. Sophisticated wine that’s several cuts above the Languedoc white wine norm.
La Pèira Blanc 2015
VDP HERAULT
After the better part of a decade, planting and growing white varieties and planning, the estate bottled the La Pèira Blanc. A blend Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with the addition of Clairette blanche in some vintages, it is the white counterpart to the La Pèira grand vin. The plots where the cepages that make the La Pèira Blanc are demarcated on the linked map (see map).
2015 MILLÉSIME / VINTAGE
Early, hot vintage with dry growing conditions producing deep, rich, full-bodied wines with at the same time a purity of fruit and sound, tannic structure.
Wine Advocate 91-93 "It’s certainly an outstanding wine."
The top cuvee from the older vines of the estate is the 2015 Terrasses du Larzac La Peira Blanc. A blend of equal parts Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne, it has bright acidity and medium to full-bodied richness as well as crisp citrus, white flowers and tangerine aromatics. It’s certainly an outstanding wine.
Andrew Jefford "Rich, vivid, complex, concentrated and long"
Light full gold. A little more fruity; less lightly oxidative and vegetal. More of the succulent yellow fruits and white fruits. Some cream. Understated and classy. Even grapefruit, angelica … almost a Guffens nose …Rich, vivid, complex, concentrated and long. Also very southern, also classy and finely crafted, fine subtlety and complexity here, with ‘minerality’ too. Not a world of difference between the two, but you would guess that this was maybe more Marsanne Roussanne and something else like Chenin or god knows and Deusyls more Clairette, Vermentino, Viogniers? Lovely finishing vinosity here. This more secondary summer fruits; that more nougat and fennel. Both mineral actually. 2015 lovely vintage for the whites. 17/20
La Pèira Blanc 2014
VDP HERAULT
After the better part of a decade, planting and growing white varieties and planning, the estate bottled the La Pèira Blanc. A blend Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with the addition of Clairette blanche in some vintages, it is the white counterpart to the La Pèira grand vin. The plots where the cepages that make the La Pèira Blanc are demarcated on the linked map (see map).
2014 MILLÉSIME / VINTAGE
A dry year, where a coolish summer produced wines of concentration and quality. Fortunately, hail and rain, which touched much of the wider region, missed La Pèira (and the Terrasses du Larzac for the most part).
Wine Advocate 94/100 "this beauty is up with the top whites of the appellation"
A big step up, the 2014 Terrasses du Larzac la Peira Blanc is made in a more pedal to the metal style and has terrific notes of citrus blossom, peach, cream and white flowers. Silky, pure, layered, yet with some solid oomph, this beauty is up with the top whites of the appellation. Wine Advocate 94/100
Jeb Dunnuck
La Pèira Blanc 2013
VDP HERAULT
After the better part of a decade, planting and growing white varieties and planning, the estate bottled the La Pèira Blanc. A blend Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne with the addition of Clairette blanche in some vintages, it is the white counterpart to the La Pèira grand vin. The plots where the cepages that make the La Pèira Blanc are demarcated on the linked map (see map).
2013 MILLÉSIME / VINTAGE
After cold, damp start to the year, an Indian summer led to a late harvest with Syrah and the late-ripening Carignan and Mourvèdre faring particularly well. A delicacy and youthful feeling of the finesse of the 2012 – but with more the frame and body of 2011.
Wine Advocate 94 - "La Peira Blanc is a sensational effort"
The first vintage for the cuvee and a selection of top barrels, the 2013 Terrasses du Larzac La Peira Blanc is a sensational effort that competes in the top two to three whites of the Languedoc. Citrus blossom, white flowers, crushed rocks and hints of brioche all emerge from this full-bodied, lengthy, elegant white that deserve a place on the table during a classy meal.”
