CLOS LAPEYRE (Juraçon, France)
In the tiny hamlet between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Seas, lie the perched vines of Clos Lepeyre, maintained by Jean-Bernard Larrieu. Placed here, clinging to the steep slopes of the Pyrenees, they benefit from the cool northerly breezes and the warming sun of the south. The natural balance of freshness and ripened tones created, combined with the limestone-clay based minerals, is exactly what the Larrieu family has tried to preserve for 3 generations. The land is rugged and severe, rising between 250-350M high. Within their 17ha plot, 9ha are so steep, they have been terraced to accommodate their work. It is not easy to haul compost or hand work the soils in these conditions but it is what the family has done for many years. Organically farming is the only way they see to produce complex fruits that represent the distinct region they share. Microbial life in the soil is necessary to bring forth the positives of the raw stony ground. It can only be achieved through personal observance and thus natural techniques. This carries through to Jean Bernard's cellar as well. All ferments start with naturally occurring yeasts, different in each parcel. Time is given for each barrel to ferment, at its own pace and years of rest in large casks produce the eventual harmonies. Jean Bernard knows each unique parcel, with its specific exposure and ripening tendencies. He knows which can be pushed and which shows gentle expression. This takes time, even generations to perfect. In a land where balance is everything, including the daily walk among the vines, thank goodness, the Larrieu family knows what it takes to keep things beautifully aligned.
Sec Vitatge Vielh 2006

The wine is straw yellow with hints of green. Initially it has a fruity aroma, with the fragrance of green apples, which changes over time as the wine matures into a more complex and slightly spicy smell, varying slightly according to the climatic conditions of each vintage.