Winemaker Notes
Pait with grilled meats, sauce meats, game birds, game rabbits and semi-mature cheeses.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2015 Lirac La Reine des Bois continues this estate's mastery of the appellation, combining hints of vanilla with black cherry fruit in a full-bodied, richly textured and tannic wine. The blend is 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Mourvèdre, with up to 15% being aged in barriques. Longtime readers will be happy to know that the 2010 (still youthful) and the 2006 (nearing maturity) are drinking well. Based on that, expect this vintage to drink well through at least 2030.
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.