Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette - Le Pas de D. 2023
The Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette is one of the major references of the Terrasses du Larzac, in the north of Languedoc, in a preserved natural environment between the Larzac plateau and the Mediterranean. Located on terraces of limestone scree at about 350 meters altitude, the estate benefits from a unique climate, marked by bright days and cool nights that preserve the balance of the grapes. Julien and Delphine Zernott work about twenty hectares here in organic and biodynamic farming, with strong attention paid to the soils, dry stone walls, and biodiversity. The Pas de D. 2023 holds a special place in the range, as this cuvée pays tribute to the memory of the valley wines as they could have been made several decades ago. It expresses a vision both heritage-based and contemporary of Languedoc, combining traditional grape varieties and current precision. This cuvée reflects Delphine Zernott’s sensitivity, with a characterful red, Mediterranean yet subtle. Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette Le Pas de D. 2023 thus presents itself as a wine of emotion, deeply rooted in its territory.
The cuvée Le Pas de D. 2023 is made from a blend of 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, and 20% Cinsault. The majority Carignan provides structure, tangy energy, spices, and a more earthy framework. The Grenache gives flesh, ripe fruit, roundness, and sunny generosity, while the Cinsault completes the ensemble with its finesse, suppleness, and a more floral dimension. This composition evokes the old balances of valley wines, where each grape variety contributed to drinkability, depth, and the wine’s holding power. The estate’s limestone terraces play an essential role in the balance, bringing freshness and relief to a naturally Mediterranean matter. The 2023 vintage offers here a red with ample flesh, but always carried by finesse and delicacy. Le Pas de D. 2023 thus combines memory, indulgence, precision, and territorial anchoring.
On tasting, Domaine du Pas de l’Escalette Le Pas de D. 2023 shows a deep, bright red robe with dark and luminous reflections. The nose may evoke blackberry, black cherry, plum, ripe red fruits, pepper, sweet spices, licorice, and garrigue herbs. On the palate, the wine is fleshy, Mediterranean, and enveloping, but without heaviness thanks to a well-present freshness. The tannins are fine, polished, and the texture retains a beautiful delicacy despite the density of the fruit. The finish extends the black fruits, spices, and a sensation of warm stone, with a very controlled impression of finesse. This Terrasses du Larzac will ideally accompany roasted herb lamb, grilled rib steak, confit pork shoulder, Languedoc stew, a tagine with sweet spices, or vegetables roasted in olive oil. It can be enjoyed after aeration in its youth but will gain even more complexity after a few years in the cellar.
Grape varieties: 50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 20% Cinsault
