Winemaker Notes
Pairs well with lamb, duck, turkey, red meat, game and cheese.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2015 Lirac showed beautifully. A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, from a mix of sandy and pebbly soils, brought up in tank, this fruited, classic Lirac has loads to love in its ripe plums, garrigue, and herbes de Provence aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied and fruit-forward, it’s ideal for drinking 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.