or
three generations, the Larrieu family have been growing vines on part of their
estate which, traditionally, has been devoted to mixed farming. In 1985 the
first vintage was produced and Clos Lapeyre was born.
• South
of Pau, some thirty kilometres from the foot of the Pyrenees, this estate
is situated at between 250 and 400m in altitude and covers 26 acres of what
is in some places very steep hillside, 15 acres of which are planted in terraces.
In 2004, the estate grew with the arrival of 13 acres of perfectly exposed
old vines from the De Nays Labassere estate, situated in the heart of the
Chapelle de Rousse village. The silt-clay soils lie on the typical Jurancon
pudding-stone conglomerate rock formation and are studded with pebbles and
sandy gravel. In Spring, they are cultivated between rows and between vines
to benefit from the new warmth, avoid compacting the soils and encourage deep
rooting.
Mostly planted in terraces, the estate has one plot of vines aged over 60
years old called “Vitatge Vielh”.
Five different wines are produced on the estate :
• 2 fruity wines : the dry white Lapeyre
and the sweet Lapeyre
• 2 selected cuvees : the dry “Vitatge Vielh” de Lapeyre
and the sweet “La Magendia” de Lapeyre
• One extraordinary sweet wine : “Vent Balaguèr”
Today the whole family contributes with passion to the production of Clos
Lapeyre’s wines.
Jean-Bernard heads the estate, after studying viticulture
and enology, and is leading the vineyard towards organics. He favours cultivation,
natural fertilisers and treatments and is rethinking the traditional ways
of growing vines. Today his aim is to produce highly expressive wines which
reflect the specific nature of their terroir.
“the wines today are among the best in their appellation. The dry whites made from Gros Manseng have a balance and a quality of fruit that are only too rare nowadays and careful winemaking gives them this pure and immediate expression which is quite enticing. The sweet wines made from Petit Manseng develop remarkable notes of white truffles on ageing.
The wines : the last few vintages have brought this estate to the summit of its art. The beauty of the fruit, the generosity and, above all, the astonishing aromatic personality of these wines due to their terroir, is a just reward for the exemplary work performed in the vineyard and in the winery…”
Bettane & Desseauve
