Terrasses du Larzac, Les Frieys, Pas de L'Escalette - 2020

Located between Millau and Montpellier in the Hérault region, the Pas de l'Escalette is the essential and emblematic passage between the Larzac and the Mediterranean. Nestled at an altitude of 350 metres at the foot of the Larzac plateau, the twenty-hectare estate is divided into fifty or so terraces on either side of the Pégairolles de l'Escalette and Lauroux valleys. Each of the vines of Delphine Rousseau and Julien Zernott, the winegrowing couple, is planted on the limestone scree of the causse, surrounded by low dry-stone walls and clapas (piles of stones). Protected by the causse, this vineyard is naturally irrigated by the Larzac springs. Biodiversity and the work of the soil allow the production of grapes in balance with their environment, and the estate is certified organic and biodynamic with Biodyvin. The altitude, the deep and draining clay-limestone soils, the cool climate of these valleys; all the conditions are met to produce wines with a freshness and a fruity tension very specific to this terroir.The Zernott-Rousseau family works exclusively with southern grape varieties: grenache and carignan for the majority of the blends, syrah and cinsault. For the whites, old vines of white carignan and terret bourret are combined with white and grey grenache. Many of the wines are matured in large containers, which allow the refinement of magnificent textures, tannins and...