Jancis Robinson on La Pèira’s Mourvèdre: Matissat
in the vintages 2007-2008-2009-2010-2011
“Make no mistake about it, this is a very special wine made on a very special estate.”
Jancis Robinson
We were fortunate to have Jancis Robinson look at La Pèira’s limited production pure Mourvèdre: Matissat.
Describing it as a, “particularly fine Languedoc wine” the article looked a vertical of five vintages (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011).
Recent tasting articles have included Oregon’s Evening Land, Corney & Barrow’s vertical tasting of Pomerol’s Chateau Trotanoy, Manfred Krankl’s Sine Qua Non, and Alsace’s iconic Clos Ste Hune Riesling amongst others.
We were pleased to have these various vintages of this 100% Mourvèdre bottling – indeed Mourvèdre topped up with Mourvèdre over the 18-month élevage period, and grown on the Bois de Pauliau a few steps away from where it is vinified – looked in such a way.
This pure Mourvèdre – a cépage also known as Monastrell, and Mataro (see Jancis Robinson’s just released Wine Grapes for more information) – is available in very limited quantities, and we hope should not distract from the domaine’s La Pèira wines (for the latest superb reviews as of Oct 2012 click here).
Two of our favorite vintages in the Terrasses du Larzac over the last years in general have been the 2007 and 2009, and it was interesting to see these outstanding years perform slightly less well than the 2008 and 2011 – or for that matter the equally super 2010 vintage – in Jancis’ reviews. Hopefully these reviews (and others) might offer some insight into the character of each vintage over the 2007-2011 period.
All reviews including those the Wine Advocate’s, Andrew Jeffords, and Jancis Robinson’s – on vintages 2007-2011 are contained in this PDF (with some background regarding the wine and Jancis’ full article on La Pèira’s Matissat) here.
Jancis Robinson’s Matissat Reviews
(for the full article click links above)
La Pèira en Damaisèla, Matissat Mourvèdre 2007 Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac 16.5 Drink 2010-2014
Still very dark crimson. Direct blackberry essence on the nose. Sweet and subtle. Smudgy liquorice edge. Flattering and round and with almost melted tannins though there’s a little chew on the end. Very luscious indeed but too low in acidity to refresh. Just a little overripe. 14.5%
La Pèira en Damaisèla, Matissat Mourvèdre 2008 Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac 17 Drink 2013-2020
Paler than the 2007 with some evolution at the rim. Very mineral and tarry on the nose. Racy and transparent. Lots of freshness. Recognisably related to the 2007 but livelier and drier. A little muscular. Not as heavy as the 2007. Very clean. Not too heavy. 14.5%
La Pèira en Damaisèla, Matissat Mourvèdre 2009 Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac 16 Drink 2015-2020
This wine seems to get lighter with every vintage. Mid ruby with some evolution at the rim. Not much aroma. Light spiciness and then both sweet and some chewy dryness. I’m not convinced about the balance of this wine. The flavour seems to have been rather baked out. A bit awkward. 14.5%
La Pèira en Damaisèla, Matissat Mourvèdre 2010 Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac 17+ Drink 2016-2024
Mid crimson. Gosh – so different from the 2007! Transparent and lively and very young and racy. I think this could turn out to be a very fine wine indeed. For the moment it’s still quite chewy but there is impressive energy here. 14.5%
La Pèira en Damaisèla, Matissat Mourvèdre 2011 Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac 17.5 Drink 2016-2026
Firm transparent deep crimson. Showing the mineral side of this wine at the moment. Delicate but sweet and seductive too. Very appealing. Transparent. This doesn’t taste like a 14.5% wine. Very clean, pure and driven. Great energy.
La Peira 