Winemaker Notes
Featuring an intense purple color, this wine develops powerful black fruit aromas and a slight hint of smoke and spice.
Blend: 52% Grenache, 48% Syrah
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
Lovely from the start, with a blitz of fennel, honeysuckle, quinine, white peach and green almond notes carried by bright acidity. Kiss of brioche on the finish, so drink now for the floral aspect or age a touch to bring out the richer side.
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Jeb Dunnuck
As to the red, the 2019 Lirac Plateau Des Chênes has a big, exotic bouquet of red and blue fruits, candied orange zest, and flowers to go with a full-bodied, hedonistic, sexy style on the palate. Based on 52% Grenache and 48% Syrah, it’s a smoking good Lirac to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years.
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.