Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2011 Lirac Cuvee Reservee (50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest Cinsault, Mourvedre and Carignan) offers dense, ripe, black currant and black cherry fruit intermixed with licorice, forest floor and underbrush. This spicy, fleshy, succulent red possesses both structure and depth. Consume this impressive Lirac over the next 3-4 years
Rated Best Buy
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.
A larger region between Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Tavel, Lirac red wines resemble some of the best Cotes du Rhone Villages wines, while it’s rosés are akin to those of Tavel. The region’s quality whites, based on Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, are round and fruit-driven.