About this WINE
Southern Rhône Blend
The vast majority of wines from the Southern Rhône are blends. There are 5 main black varieties, although others are used and the most famous wine of the region, Châteauneuf du Pape, can be made from as many as 13 different varieties. Grenache is the most important grape in the southern Rhône - it contributes alcohol, warmth and gentle juicy fruit and is an ideal base wine in the blend. Plantings of Syrah in the southern Rhône have risen dramatically in the last decade and it is an increasingly important component in blends. It rarely attains the heights that it does in the North but adds colour, backbone, tannins and soft ripe fruit to the blend.
The much-maligned Carignan has been on the retreat recently but is still included in many blends - the best old vines can add colour, body and spicy fruits. Cinsault is also backtracking but, if yields are restricted, can produce moderately well-coloured wines adding pleasant-light fruit to red and rosé blends. Finally, Mourvèdre, a grape from Bandol on the Mediterranean coast, has recently become an increasingly significant component of Southern Rhône blends - it often struggles to ripen fully but can add acidity, ripe spicy berry fruits and hints of tobacco to blends.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
Lirac is one of the older appellations in the southern Rhône which has been slightly forgotten. This wine shows that it is time for it to be revitalised and for its reputation to be re-assessed. La Reine des Bois has a majestic colour and come-hither nose, which marries spice-box and macerated fruit, then a palate which is poised and very complete; completely delicious in fact!
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer) This Lirac has a powerful nose of blackberries, cassis and pepper, leading to a full-bodied but fruity palate. This blend of Grenache, syrah and mourvedre is rich with some amazing flavours of black plum, sweet spices and some floral notes of violet. La Reine des Bois is a perfect match for winter dishes from Sunday roast beef to a good cassoulet.
(Marie Boularand, London Sales)
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee