Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
A wine that always seems to deliver, the 2016 Lirac Plateau des Chênes boasts a medium ruby color to go with terrific notes of red fruits (strawberries, cherries), flowers, ample spice, and subtle minerality. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant mouthfeel, and beautiful balance, it’s a no-brainer purchase from this estate that’s going to drink nicely for at least 5-7 years.
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Wine Spectator
Suave, with a rich and silky feel that allows gorgeous raspberry and plum puree flavors to glide through unencumbered, flashing alluring spice and tea notes along the way. Reveals a light mineral echo at the very end.
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.