Winemaker Notes
Dark garnet in color. Expressive red fruits aromas, spicy, peppery, garrigue notes. A beautiful length in the mouth, red fruit-compote flavors with sweet and melted tannins.
A great match with casseroles, grilled red meats, charcuterie, game, cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The cement-aged 2018 Lirac Cuvee Reservee is 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% each Carignan and Cinsault (the identical proportions as used in this estate's Côtes du Rhône). Slightly deeper, darker and richer, it's still a very approachable effort, loaded with black cherries and some resinous herbal notes. Medium to full-bodied, with a soft, velvety mouthfeel and a plush finish, it's a delicious wine to drink over the near term.
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.