"One of the finest releases from not only this appellation but the entire Southern Rhône" Jeb Dunnuck

"Tasted just before bottling, both were very impressive, among the best wines I've ever tasted from this oft-overlooked appellation." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocat

"One of the finest releases from not only this appellation but the entire Southern Rhône, the 2016 Lirac La Reine Des Bois is a unique blend of close to equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre that’s brought up in 30% used barrels, the balance in stainless steel. It literally jumps from the glass with loads of blackberry and currant fruits, graphite, charred meats, and peppery herbs. Deeply colored, medium to full-bodied, with sensational purity, give bottles a year or two and enjoy through 2028. It’s another brilliant wine from this estate that’s landed on both feet after the passing of winemaker Christophe Delorme in 2015." Jeb Dunnuck

"The nose is broad, something of a power house, shows grilling, bacon fat, slinky, deep black berry fruits, holds its depth well, shows garrigue airs, herbs, sparks of variety and implication here. The palate is vigorous, full, engaging, runs with black berry fruits, and the texture is silky, the tannins ripe and well infused, adding their couch of support to the finishing moments. It has a bounteous potential, and good length with liqueur red fruits on the close. This is long." John Livingstone-Learmonth MW

A golden green in the glass this wine offers aromas of white and yellow fruits, including notes of citrus, apricot and pear. A round palate with a very long finish showcases  fruity flavours and results in a highly elegant wine.

Organic and Biodynamic from old vines on the border of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Situated only 15 km northwest from Avignon in the heartland of the Southern Rhône valley, the Lirac appellation has struggled to make a name for itself when competing with the nearby Châteauneuf-du-pape. The good news is the quality of the red Lirac wines, they now rival there illustrious of Chateauneuf du Pape and on average 40% cheaper!

As previously written about with other wines from the Southern Rhone, the 2016 vintage in the Southern Rhône produced red wines of exquisite balance and concentration with the requisite freshness and fine tannic structure to allow the best wines to age gracefully over many years, while being accessible early on. A vintage to buy!