Winemaker Notes
Dark and dense red with fruity aromas (raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, blackcurrant). On the palate, fine tannins, fat, very long and with afresh finish.
Blend: 40% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 30% Mourvèdre
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Fragrant nose of black and blue berries, together with delicate notes of licorice, sandalwood and bergamot. Rich and concentrated, but decisively dry. The fine tannins have a wonderful bitter-chocolate flavor and drive this full-bodied wine over the palate with astonishing briskness. Very long, powdery finish with plenty of spicy complexity.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Smart consumers know this cuvée is one of the stars of the cellar. The 2020 Lirac La Reine des Bois (roughly equal parts Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah) is a rich, intense effort, boasting intriguing scents of crushed stone, pencil shavings, ripe cherries and vibrant blueberries. Full-bodied and powerful, it somehow remains silky and elegant on the finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Offering more density, the 2020 Lirac La Reine De Bois has terrific purity in its black raspberry and darker cherry fruits as well as violet, flowers, and sappy garrigue-like aromatics. Beautiful on the palate as well, it's medium-bodied, has fine tannins, a seamless, pure, gorgeous texture, and a great finish. It’s a seriously good Lirac (probably the best in the appellation) that will evolve for a decade. Best after 2022
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Vinous
Blending roughly one-third each of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, the 2020 Lirac Blanc La Reine des Bois is delightful. Ripe black cherry, licorice, forest strawberry and iodine are all pushed forward.
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.