Plateau des Chenes Lirac Rouge 2011
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Robert
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Blend: 60% Syrah, 40% Grenache
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
An impressive new performer from Lirac, the Brechet family, who also owns the famous Chateau de Vaudieu in Chateauneuf du Pape (just south of Chateau Rayas), has 37 acres in Lirac. The consulting winemaker is Philippe Cambie, who is largely responsible for the tremendous upsurge in quality at Vaudieu over the last 4-5 years. The 2011 Plateau des Chenes, a blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache aged 9 months in foudre and barrel, displays an inky/purple color along with a dense nose of black fruits, forest floor, acacia flowers, pepper and licorice. It possesses fabulous fruit on the attack and mid-palate, beautiful ripeness (especially for a 2011), and a soft, well-made, opulent finish. Drink this 2011 over the next 3-4 years.
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Much attention is given to the land and environment. The methods they employ are strictly based on little to no intervention. It is the land that speaks and expresses its identity through each of the wines. In fact, some of the best vineyards are isolated among select vintages to express absolute purity in that renowned vintage.
The work of the Chateau is based on the fact that an entire year contributes to the collection of a vintage should be sound and of the highest quality. Therefore, the sustainable approach produces a low yield, promoting longevity and favoring a natural harmony – again, a restrained intervention.
The grape is the messenger of its environment and conveys the aromas that it amassed during its maturation. By a strict selection, only the most beautiful grapes enter the doors of the cellar. Then, each grape variety, environment and soil type combine to dictate the vinifcation method. Vinification adaptation is influenced and crafted with each vintage. The result is wine that exhibits the greatest purity and sincerity.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
Famous for its full-bodied, seductive and spicy reds with flavor and aroma characteristics reminiscent of black cherry, baked raspberry, garrigue, olive tapenade, lavender and baking spice, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the leading sub-appellation of the southern Rhône River Valley. Large pebbles resembling river rocks, called "galets" in French, dominate most of the terrain. The stones hold heat and reflect it back up to the low-lying gobelet-trained vines. Though the galets are typical, they are not prominent in every vineyard. Chateau Rayas is the most obvious deviation with very sandy soil.
According to law, eighteen grape varieties are allowed in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and most wines are blends of some mix of these. For reds, Grenache is the star player with Mourvedre and Syrah coming typically second. Others used include Cinsault, Counoise and occasionally Muscardin, Vaccarèse, Picquepoul Noir and Terret Noir.
Only about 6-7% of wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape is white wine. Blends and single-varietal bottlings are typically based on the soft and floral Grenache Blanc but Clairette, Bourboulenc and Roussanne are grown with some significance.
The wine of Chateauneuf-du-Pape takes its name from the relocation of the papal court to Avignon. The lore says that after moving in 1309, Pope Clément V (after whom Chateau Pape-Clément in Pessac-Léognan is named) ordered that vines were planted. But it was actually his successor, John XXII, who established the vineyards. The name however, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, translated as "the pope's new castle," didn’t really stick until the 19th century.