Domaine de la Barthassade

'Clos de la Barthassade Cuvée H9' 2021

Originality and elegance, all lined up. Mostly Syrah, followed by 15% of Grenache and 15% of Mourvedre. It’s silken, bustling with red fruit, cut plum, and a little peppercorn. Some age to introduce some earthen and mushroom flavours, wouldn’t go astray.

Terrasses du Larzac is about 45 minutes northwest of Montpellier in the Languedoc, and somehow this rugged, dry, quite poetic landscape has been a beacon for young vignerons. Mostly because the land is still affordable. Here, Guillaume and Hélène Baron staked their claim, finding ten hectares that suited their dreams and voila, their first vintage happened in 2014. Syrah and Grenache are grown in Combariolles, where the nights are cold and the soil rocky, producing perfumed, Côte-Rôtie-like wines. Cinsault, Carignan and some Grenache are grown in one of the best terroirs in Montpeyroux, called La Barthassade. Here, the sun-drenched terraces still see a lot of rain, and the combination of heat and water allows the grapes to reach perfect maturity. Chenin and Roussanne are planted in St-Saturnin, just west of Aniane, but they only make one, very special, white wine. Biodynamic from the get go, the pair are special.