Perched atop terraced vineyards, not far from the Mediterranean, lies Domaine du Pas de L’Escalette’s Languedoc estate where warm days, cool nights, complex soils, and mountain breezes deliver every ingredient necessary for world-class red wine.
Translate mother nature’s bounty through organic farming and traditional winemaking and you have a wine that envelops the senses. This offer is a cornucopia of wild berries, savory flavors of the French countryside, along with rich texture and ample freshness that is simply teeming with life and energy. If you were lucky enough to have received their recent Ze Rozé, you know how serious the price-to-quality is here. This stunning expression of place captures the life force of the Languedoc that is unparalleled for the price. The 2013 Les Petits Pas is an offer to buy by the case and enjoy over the next several years. The only obstacle will be keeping your hands off of it.
The Languedoc in southwestern France is an ancient winegrowing region that was first cultivated by the Greeks around 500 B.C. and continued to be a source of fine wine over millennia. The twentieth century saw this complex and storied region turn into a source for bulk wine of inferior quality, but in the last couple decades, the Languedoc has experienced a renaissance of quality. Serious care in the vineyards has resulted in some of the most stunning wines of France that can still be purchased for a shocking value. One of these forward-thinking producers is Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette. Their meticulous, organically farmed vineyards are planted on stone walled terraces, locally known as “clapas,” at a dizzying elevation where the vines soak up ample sunshine yet still retain perfect freshness and acidity thanks to the moderate temperatures and mountain breezes. It is in this fairytale locale that Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette has been crafting wine from traditional varietals for a little over a decade. Julien Zernott and Delphine Rousseau purchased the estate in 2003. Before founding the domaine, Julien worked as a consulting oenologist for Domaine Pellé in Menetou-Salon in the Loire Valley. Over the past thirteen years, Julien and Delphine have transformed their estate into a thriving ecosystem that results in wines as fresh, alive and invigorating as the mountainous air of this rugged winegrowing region itself.
Pas de l’Escalette’s Les Petits Pas or, “small steps,” was named in honor of Julien and Delphine’s sons, Jules, and Gabriel, who graced the family about the time their parents were turning their dream in the Languedoc into a reality. Derived from certified organically farmed parcels, the vines average over 50 years of age and are rooted in calcaire scree as well as a mixture of clay and limestone. The fruit is hand-harvested then 60% de-stemmed. Fermentation is with only native yeast in open-top wooden vats where the wine undergoes punch-downs and pump-overs during its 20-day maceration and vinification. This blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan is aged for roughly six months in large oak barrels and is lightly fined and filtered as necessary. The result is one of the most expressive red wines of the region for a total steal.
The 2013 Les Petits Pas displays a bright ruby red core with slight garnet reflections on the rim. The vibrant nose leaps from the glass with aromas freshly picked wild berries including red and black raspberry, wild cherry and blackcurrant liqueur infused with notes of underbrush, wet leaves, wild lavender, garrigue, olive, white and black pepper, a hint of meat, and crushed rocks. The palate is medium-plus in body with rich texture and perfectly balanced acidity that delivers the ideal tension. Flavors of live, beautiful berries unfold to reveal wet rose petals, violets and a host of wild herbs, and terroir-driven minerality. This wine is stunning now and quickly approaching its peak but will easily keep for the next decade if cellared properly. To enjoy, simply decant for 30 minutes and serve just above cellar temperature, between 60-65 degrees, in Bordeaux stems – although Burgundy stems work beautifully as well. On the next cool summer night, serve this beauty alongside
Alice Water’s soulful cassoulet for an evening that will linger in your senses for a lifetime.
