Terrasses du Larzac, a mini study of this important Languedoc AOC
Website: https://terrasses-du-larzac.com/en/home/
Terrasses du Larzac is an AOC in the Languedoc that was established just over a decade ago, in 2014. There are 100 growers here, and three-quarters farm organically. It’s one of the most highly regarded of the Languedoc appellations, and it’s dedicated to red wines only. Bedrock is limestone, but there are also alluvial terraces. The freshness comes from the proximity to the massif central, with cool air coming from the mountains and giving good diurnal variation. These six wines show off what Terrasses du Larzac can do. There are some exciting producers here.
Domaine de Montclamès 2021 Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, France
14% alcohol. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre aged for two years in used oak. This has an appealing black pepper edge to the sweet black cherry and plum fruit, with lots of complex spiciness here. There’s a touch of incense, too. The palate is really appealing, with ripe berry fruits, but also some savoury pepper and wild herb notes, as well as good structure. Nicely balances the fruity and savoury elements. This is a complex, complete wine. 94/100
Mas Combarèla Lueurs d’Espar 2021 Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, France
14.5% alcohol. Mourvèdre-dominant cuvée. This is rich and ripe, with some liquorice and aniseed notes as well as lush cherry and berry fruits. It’s sleek and a little liqueur-like, but never strays into jamminess. There’s a savoury, peppery, tarry fringe around this bold, sweet fruit that speaks of its strong Mourvèdre component. The ripe fruit is countered by some nice tannic grip on the finish. There’s a lot happening here: ripe but with balance. 93/100
Mas Lasta 2021 Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, France
14% alcohol. Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault from the terroir of Saint Privat. This has real finesse, and also some nice edges, with some vibrant raspberry fruit adding freshness and then some sweet strawberry and plum. Juicy and peppery, with the fresher notes hemming in the riper characters. Finishes slightly abruptly, but there’s a lot to like here. 93/100
Le Mas de L’Ecriture Les Pensées 2020 Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, France
This has a lovely focused nose of sweet black cherries, pepper, some green herbal hints and a twist of tar and smoke. The palate is fresh but fully ripe with sleek cherry and berry fruits, hints of cured meat and olive, and a nice finely spiced finish with smooth tannins and a little bit of spicy framing. It’s best just slightly chilled to accentuate the freshness. A beautiful southern red blend. 93/100
Domaine de Causse d’Arboras L’Extreme 2020 Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, France
Aromatic, meaty, spicy and vivid on the nose. Blackberries, black cherries, some meat and pepper, with a hint of smoke. The palate has good concentration with nice dense but bright berry and cherry fruits, some hints of olive, and a stony mineral dimension that adds interest. Powerful and intense, but really fresh, with nice structure. 92/100
Mas de la Seranne Antonin et Louis 2020 Terrasses du Larzac, Languedoc, France
This is lush and ripe with sweet black cherry and berry fruit with some meat and spice notes, as well as what tastes like quite a whack of oak: some cedar and vanilla. It’s very ripe and forward, and maybe the fruit is a little too ripe and baked. For those who like the riper, lusher style, though, this is well made. 90/100
