Our Growers:

Jean-Bernard Larrieu

Clos Lapeyre

For 3 generations, the Larrieu family has cultivated grapes on a part of its property in the Jurançon south of Pau and 30 kilometers from the foot of the Pyrenées traditionally devoted to mixed farming. In 1985, the family vinified the first vintage and Le Clos Lapeyre was born. The domain extends for 12 hectares on sometimes very steep slopes planted for the most part in terraces. Today, the entire family works passionately on the Clos Lapeyre. At its head, Jean-Bernard Larrieu, certified wine grower and oenologist, along with his associate Daniel Craker, are using agrobiology with mechanical weeding and all-natural fertilizer to make quality wines that express the specificity of their terroir.

The Jurançon sec is 100% gros manseng. Harvesting is totally by hand after October 22nd. The wine is aged on its lies following alcoholic fermentation in a stainless steel vat and malolactic fermentation of one-third of the volume. This is an aromatic and very floral wine. The lively mouth is accented by fresh fruits. It is well-balanced, with a long finish. It would go well with any seafood, but also deli meats and a goat cheese.

The Jurançon is 60% gros manseng and 40% petit manseng. Harvesting is by hand and is done twice: at the end of October and then at the beginning of November. The wine is aged on its lies. This Jurançon is intense in the nose with aromas of fresh citrus fruit. In the mouth it is lively, with lots of freshness and balance and a thirst-quenching finish. This makes a great aperitif or a great dessert wine. Its freshness makes it a wine which can be easily be drunk any time of the day.

The Vitatge Vielh Jurançon sec: Among their parcels, the family has a parcel called “Vitatge Vielh,” which means vieilles vignes in Languedoc and whose vines are more than 60 years old. The wine produced from this parcel is made of 50% gros manseng, 40% petit manseng, and 10% courbu. The wine is aged for 12 months in barrels on its lies with regular batonnage. “It has a beautiful golden robe, a nose of spiced bread, almost dried fruits, straightforward in taste, very structured, harmonious. A beautiful dry wine, keeps a long time.” (Revue du Vin de France, Spécial Vins,) September 2004). A delicate nose blending fruit with honey and brioche, a fresh attack in the mouth followed by a round and suave finish, this wine is well structured by a woodiness which blends perfectly with the fruit.

La Magienda is made from a selection of vendange tardif petit manseng grapes allowed to dry out in the sun. The name comes from the Languedoc word mage, which means the best. The grapes are harvested as early as November and sometimes as late as December. “A great expression of the Jurançon, with aromas of zesty citrus confits and honey. Very pretty attack for this wine of an ideal balance between richness and acidity. Keeps very well. (Revue du Vin de France, Spécial Vins, September 2004). Ideal with foie gras, cheese, sausage.

Website: http://www.expressions-terroir.com/