Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2023 Clos du Mont-Olivet Lirac Rouge hails from one of my favorite Rhône Valley appellations. Medium ruby in color, it opens with vivid aromas of chalk, earth, and tart red berries. The palate is layered and rewarding, carrying flavors of dried earth and lively berry fruit, all framed by a fresh, mineral edge. Elegant yet rustic, this wine is an excellent partner for Rhône-inspired lamb dishes, from herb-crusted chops to slow-braised shanks. (Tasted: September 9, 2025, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
A high-pitched style, featuring silky layers of crushed cherry and rooibos tea, plus a subtle note of salty bacon. Graphite smoke wafts throughout, while a kick of white pepper brings freshness. Shows sweet tobacco leaf and iodine on the winding, polished fin- ish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault.
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.