2006 Lirac Rouge, Ch. d'Aquéria

Château D’Aquéria is located on the western side of the Rhône on the road to Nîmes. The property bisects the appellations of Tavel and Lirac, both of which have, over the last twenty years or so, lost ground in terms of reputation, when compared to many of the villages located upstream from Avignon. This is rather a shame and partly as a result of everyday bistrot fare such as Tavel Rosé falling from fashion. If there is one property which has both the reputation and the ability to enact a reversal of fortune, it is Château D’Aquéria. Their Lirac Rouge is loaded with spices, black pepper and dense, beautifully sweet Grenache fruit. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsaut are the minority shareholders here, each contributing  confidently to the finely-tuned assemblage.
(Simon Field MW - Rhône Buyer)