Rather than a date, this cuvée is about paying tribute to the beginning of the vintner history in our family. Product of the oldest vines in our family estate, this wine delivers itself in an intense garnet color, deep and attractive. It exudes a powerful bouquet in which touches of vanilla flirt with notes of red fruits, crushed strawberries, cherries, all on a tenderly spiced background. The mouth matches the nose's complexity, on a beautiful texture. wrapped by lovely tannins, ever present but sumptuously silky. It smoothly evolves toward a melting finish in which the perfect dose of wood embraces passionately the aromas from fruit ... An hymn to sensuality ...
70 % Grenache, 30 % Syrah.

The beautiful vines in this blend give themselves away in a pretty deep purple color, exuding a powerful nose of red fruits with a few touches of marmalade on a generous background supported by a rich spicy complexity. The powerful mouth is rich, with graceful and distinguished tannins. It blossoms on a finish revealing delicate empyreumatic and woody aromas. Blend: Grenache 60%, Syrah 40%

A delicious medium/full-bodied red wine, rustic, but entirely pleasing wine with aromas of plums and blackberries. On the palate dark purple, inky, with gorgeous ripe blackberry and notes of herbs, black pepper, black olive. This is a top boutique Rhone wine for the price! “…Deep ruby in colour. Exotic, intensely perfumed bouquet evokes red and dark berry preserves, licorice, violet and smoky herbs. … Open-knit and already drinking well but this wine’s depth and finishing power suggest that it will reward patience.” Blend: Grenache 80%, Syrah 20%

Another beautiful wine from this estate is the value-priced 2014 Lirac la Fermade. Mostly Grenache, mixed with Syrah. It’s completely destemmed and unadulterated, and raised all in concrete tanks. Framboise, crushed flowers and Grenache-driven spice characteristics all emerge from this gorgeous, charming, supple and layered 2014 that will put a smile on anyone face on release. I suspect it will evolve nicely. (The Wine Advocate, 2016) Blend: Grenache 70%, Syrah 20%, Mourvedre 10%

T A S T I N G “Pale flint colour. The nose gives a buzzy, open aroma of pear with apricot, has a fat, southern nature, notes of lime, a drift of salt. The palate retains the squeezy, juicy nature suggested by the nose. This is fun drinking, a plump appeal at its heart, the length sound, too. It finishes clearly, some nuttiness there. The crop has been well ripened, and that shows in its texture and fatness.” (John Livingstone, June 2017) Blend: Grenache 43%, Clairette 39%, Picpoul 18%

T A S T I N G “Red robe with scarlet touches. The nose has a comfortable depth of bright red cherry fruit, some strawberry, a good and vibrant mix with the depth for drinking à table. It’s a little reserved, and will blossom further over time.

“Fine red robe. The oak brings a layer of toffee to the aroma, backed by crushed strawberry, a sweet centre, cherry liqueur. This is distinct from other Tavel 2016s through a fine concentration of red fruit flanked by a sweet caramel or toffee-like cushion. It works on a patiné, smooth texture, the length aided by its oak. It is something of an acquired taste.” (John Livingstone, June 2017)

TASTING : “Quite a deep red robe. The palate accentuates the appeal of mature Grenache vine fruit, with a very clear detail in its plum fruit, a savoury middle, and nourishing tannins increasing its complexity and depth after the mid-point. This is a serious wine, and there should be more Liracs of this quality. The late moments are nicely peppery, and the finish is complete, with the tang of the tannins extending nicely, the length lovely.” (John Livingstone, June 2017)