Chateau de Vaudieu Lirac Plateau des Chenes 2017
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Robert
Parker -
Wine
Spectator -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Product Details
Winemaker Notes
Featuring an intense purple color, this wine develops powerful black fruit aromas and a slight hint of smoke and spice.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A super example of the appellation, the 2017 Lirac is full-bodied, concentrated and velvety on the palate, offering up notes of raspberries, cherries and dark chocolate. Offering plenty of richness, texture, flavor and length, it should drink well for up to decade.
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Wine Spectator
Deliciously plump and juicy blackberry and black cherry compote notes form the core of this solid red, with streaks of tobacco and anise filling in.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Black cherries, garrigue, earth, and peppery spice notes all emerge from the 2017 Lirac, a classic, medium-bodied, nicely concentrated effort that has ripe tannins and a good finish. It's made in a much more classic, traditional style compared to the Le Temps cuvée, yet it’s still a plush, sexy wine.
Other Vintages
2019-
Wine
Spectator -
Jeb
Dunnuck
-
Wine
Spectator -
Jeb
Dunnuck
Located about a five minute drive outside the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape along the road which leads to Courthezon you will find Chateau de Vaudieu. It is one of three 18th century Chateaux located in the appellation, tucked into a small valley surrounded by hills and plateau. It is at the intersection of several major terroirs: sandy soils to the north, along a border it shares with Chateau Rayas (one of the best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape but not actually a Chateau), pale limestone and clays centered around a forested hillock, and two large plateaux of the somewhat overexposed galets. In total there are 70 hectares within one contiguous estate – something very rare in the appellation.
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.