Domaine Pas de l’Escalette

Terrasses du Larzac

Location Poujols - 20 Ha
Grapes Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan Blanc, Terret Bouchet, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris
Viticulture Biodynamic and Certified Organic (Demeter)
Producer Julien & Delphine Zernott
Website pasdelescalette.com
Location Poujols - 20 Ha
Grapes Grenache, Carignan, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan Blanc, Terret Bouchet, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris
Viticulture Biodynamic and Certified Organic (Demeter)
Producer Julien & Delphine Zernott
Website pasdelescalette.com

Julien and Delphine Zernott discovered this outlier property in 1997 whilst on the search for a home to create for themselves and their nascent family. Julien was, and still works as, a consultant for many of a handful of great names within the Loire Valley, and it was her he met Delphine, a viticulturist and winemaker in her own right. At the time, Larzac was still a ‘backwater’ in France, known more for the fact it housed many mafia families from Corsica and its nature reserves which extend onto the plateau above, than for wine. Of course there are a few names that have brought the region a glimmer of fame, Mas de Daumas being one, Mas Julien another, but in essence the region was still very much Languedoc than a place in its own right.

 

The house sits on what is known as L’Escalette, the rugged limestone valley that runs from Lodeve, north up to the Larzac plateau and the Grands Causses, and away from the Mediterranean influence that was once the main pilgrimage route for those seeking solace in the Hosts hands. The vineyards sit both here, on these rugged limestone terraces (ancient alluvial forms) and on the south facing slopes of the east west orientated valley that lie to the west of Font del Sauze. In all, there are 20 hectares spread over 50 parcels (terraces) planted in Gobelet formation at between 300 and 375 metres, and in some cases surrounded by the ancient Clapas, walls built from the removal of stones in the main vineyard, harking back to a more ancient way of life. 

 

The viticulture is worked on biodynamic principles, using horse and tractor work when necessary. The altitude, light footed approach to vineyard work and fast draining soils all combine to make wines which differ from those in the basin below, being lighter, mineral and driven by acidity more than alcohol. Grenache and Carignan make up the majority of the plantings, but there are younger plantings of Syrah, and old pockets of Cinsault, being used to great effect in both blends and a on its own. White varieties include Carignan Blanc, Terret Bouchet and Grenache Blanc and Gris. 

 

The winery is newly built and contains the quiet confidence of a couple who know what they want and how to achieve the best from their vines. Everything is geared up to retain freshness, and elegance, and vinification is done in concrete cuves, kept cool buy the fact the cellar is built into the hillside. The ageing depends on the wines, but in order to be an appellation wine, they must spend 12 months in tank. 

Domaine Pas de l’Escalette Wines

Les Clapas Blanc 50% Carignan Blanc, Grenache Blanc 40% Terret Bouchet 10%. The vines are planted on the higher slopes facing south, and in many cases are co-planted old vine plots. The fermentation is in cuve, with partial ageing in oak Demi Muid on the lees. The wine is floral, with a touch of white fruit, peach and meadow hay. It is fresh, balanced and long on the palate, could age but irresistible now.
Mas Rousseau 100% Carignan Blanc from a single parcel of 30 Ares, where massale selection has been made of the oldest vines in the estate. The wine is fermented in egg and aged in both egg and French oak. It is detailed, sappy and complex wine, with great longevity. However as this is only made in small quantities, our allocation is just 24 bottles.
Ze Rose A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Carignan. The rose is made each year in the style of white wine, from red grapes selected from the coolest sites. It is only made in small quantities, as much to refresh the family and friends as for the market. It is an absolutely delicious wine, but one of which we only have 60 bottles!
Petit Pas Rouge Named after Jules and Gabriel, Delphine’s two children, this is a youthful blend of Grenache 40%, Syrah 40% and Carignan 20%. Destemmed fruit is fermented in concrete cuves and bottled in late summer. The wine is lively, pure and well balanced, providing a perfect, lighter entry in to the terroir of Larzac.
Les Clapas Rouge 50% whole bunch Syrah, 30% Carignan and 20% Grenache taken from vines from the range of parcels across the domaine. The ferments are made in concrete and elevage is partially done in concrete and partially 500 litre French oak. The resulting wine is Mineral pure, seamless example of the haut terroir of the Escalatte terroir.
Ze Cinsault A selection of the oldest vines of Cainsault from 5 plots in the Vallee de Lauroux. This is a gentle cuvaison, destemmed, and then again in concrete to retain freshness and delicacy. This is a wine that shows Cinsault in its very best light.
Le Pas de D Delphines own interpretation of the vineyards that are over 50 years old. It is Carignan 50% Grenache 30% and Cinsault 20%. Vinification is in concrete cuves and the fruit is destemmed but not crushed. The ageing is in demi-muid for 12 months after blending. The wine is an incredible example of the region, both bright and full of energy, but also complex and deeply hued. Will age for 5-10 years. Limited availability.
Les Frieys A blend of Grenache Mouvedre and Carigan from the oldest vineyards harvested on the same day and co fermented. Ageing is in French oak for 12 months. The wine is quite extraordinary, and of course in short supply, with only 18 bottles available.
Les Clapas Blanc 50% Carignan Blanc, Grenache Blanc 40% Terret Bouchet 10%. The vines are planted on the higher slopes facing south, and in many cases are co-planted old vine plots. The fermentation is in cuve, with partial ageing in oak Demi Muid on the lees. The wine is floral, with a touch of white fruit, peach and meadow hay. It is fresh, balanced and long on the palate, could age but irresistible now.
Mas Rousseau 100% Carignan Blanc from a single parcel of 30 Ares, where massale selection has been made of the oldest vines in the estate. The wine is fermented in egg and aged in both egg and French oak. It is detailed, sappy and complex wine, with great longevity. However as this is only made in small quantities, our allocation is just 24 bottles.
Ze Rose A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Carignan. The rose is made each year in the style of white wine, from red grapes selected from the coolest sites. It is only made in small quantities, as much to refresh the family and friends as for the market. It is an absolutely delicious wine, but one of which we only have 60 bottles!
Petit Pas Rouge Named after Jules and Gabriel, Delphine’s two children, this is a youthful blend of Grenache 40%, Syrah 40% and Carignan 20%. Destemmed fruit is fermented in concrete cuves and bottled in late summer. The wine is lively, pure and well balanced, providing a perfect, lighter entry in to the terroir of Larzac.
Les Clapas Rouge 50% whole bunch Syrah, 30% Carignan and 20% Grenache taken from vines from the range of parcels across the domaine. The ferments are made in concrete and elevage is partially done in concrete and partially 500 litre French oak. The resulting wine is Mineral pure, seamless example of the haut terroir of the Escalatte terroir.
Ze Cinsault A selection of the oldest vines of Cainsault from 5 plots in the Vallee de Lauroux. This is a gentle cuvaison, destemmed, and then again in concrete to retain freshness and delicacy. This is a wine that shows Cinsault in its very best light.
Le Pas de D Delphines own interpretation of the vineyards that are over 50 years old. It is Carignan 50% Grenache 30% and Cinsault 20%. Vinification is in concrete cuves and the fruit is destemmed but not crushed. The ageing is in demi-muid for 12 months after blending. The wine is an incredible example of the region, both bright and full of energy, but also complex and deeply hued. Will age for 5-10 years. Limited availability.
Les Frieys A blend of Grenache Mouvedre and Carigan from the oldest vineyards harvested on the same day and co fermented. Ageing is in French oak for 12 months. The wine is quite extraordinary, and of course in short supply, with only 18 bottles available.