Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette : Le Grand Pas 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Le Grand Pas 2023 Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a deep, dark red hue.

Nose
The nose exudes aromas of ripe fruit accompanied by spicy notes, evoking the typical scents of the south.

Palate
Full-bodied and generous, the palate charms with its perfect balance and silky tannins. It expresses all the aromatic finesse and freshness of its high-altitude terroir, extending into a finish of beautiful intensity.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with rich, flavourful dishes such as a fricassee of porcini mushrooms with Iberian ham, veal chop with parmesan, or a lamb tagine with dates and honey.

Service and storage

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to decant Le Grand Pas 2023 and serve it at a temperature of 16 to 17°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and will keep until around 2030.

The elegance and freshness of a wine from the Terrasses du Larzac

The estate

Founded in 2003 by Julien Zernott and Delphine Rousseau, who remain its owners today, the Domaine du Pas de l'Escalette stands out in the Languedoc region. This vineyard of around twenty hectares is distinguished by its deep commitment to biodiversity and its environmentally respectful approach, certified organic and biodynamic. Located at the foot of the Larzac plateau, the estate cultivates traditional southern grape varieties to produce authentic wines that reflect the purity and singularity of their high-altitude terroir.

The vineyard

The vines destined for this cuvée flourish within the Terrasses du Larzac appellation, at an altitude of around 350 metres. The vineyard is divided into around fifty terraces supported by dry stone walls. The vines draw their resources from calcareous scree soils that offer excellent drainage, while benefiting from a microclimate cooled by air currents from the plateau overlooking the valley. The harvest is carried out exclusively by hand.

The vintage

The year 2023 began with a mild, relatively dry winter, offering favourable conditions for budburst and early vegetative growth. The season then continued with a warmer summer, allowing the berries to reach optimal ripeness, particularly for the grape varieties requiring sustained heat.

Winemaking and aging

The design of Le Grand Pas 2023 is based on a philosophy of minimal intervention. Fermentation takes place using whole clusters for the Grenache, driven by indigenous yeasts, in 50-hectolitre wooden vats. After an extended 21-day maceration, malolactic fermentation also takes place in wood. Finally, the wine is aged in large oak vats to refine its structure.

Grape varieties

This blend is composed of 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, and 10% Carignan.