2011 Domaine du Bout du Monde L'Echapee Belle Syrah

Edouard Laffitte was for a time the technical director of Caves d'Estezargues, a progressive Southern Rhone cooperative specialising in biodynamic and natural wines. The transition towards owning his own estate happened in 2004, when he found some 7 Hectares high up in the French Pyrenees above Latour de France, planted with old vine Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and very old Carignan with unusual slopes exposed to the North. The place is so remote that the first visitors to the estate proclaimed it to be "Le bout du Monde", (the end of the world!)

Natural Wonder of the French Pyrenees !

The philosophy there is a simple one: "a bottle must call for another !", and to achieve that, Laffitte spends long hours in his vineyards following biodynamic principles, with no pesticides or herbicides in sight, tending to each vine individually inbetween the occasional horse ploughing. The winemaking is hands-off, with no other additive than minimal sulphur at bottling to protect the wines during shipment. With all the impassioned debate about natural wines in recent years, "Le Bout du Monde" is a perfect starting point. The wines show a rare degree of focus and precision. "L'Echapee Belle" is a superb example with an alluring appeal.

Produced from 100% Syrah. Deep dark purple colour with bright purple hue. The nose displays vibrant scents of freshly crushed blackberries alongside some liquorice and incense followed by some scorched earth and spice. Medium to full bodied with a joosy texture the palate delivers youthful inky blackberry and liquorice flavours followed by scorched earth and spice on the back palate. Dry finish with a velvet smooth tannins and lick of fresh acidity. Good depth with medium to long inky blackberry, liquorice, scorched earth and spice aftertaste.
Cellar 5-6 years (2018-2019).
Alc 12.5%