Domaine D'Arbousset la vigne d'Yvon Lirac 2015
- Textured, savoury
- Rhône Valley
Gérald Lafont may consult to a host of wineries in the Rhône, but his heart lies with the family vineyard in Rhone’s Lirac. This is where his father Yvon showed a young Gérald the ropes.
Profile
While Lirac might not get all of the attention like Châteauneuf-du-pape, it’s considered to be a bit of a wine trade secret - producing equally impressive grenache-based blends at a fraction of the price.
So get on board before the rest of the wine-drinking world catches on.
Definitely grenache dominant with warm raspberry coulis, scorched summer earth and spice. But there’s a more brooding background of tar, molasses and liquorice from the syrah, and equal parts of cinsault and mourvèdre. The warm minerality reflects the vineyard’s rocky nature and warm Mediterannean summers. It’s a beauty - and a beast.
Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2015 Lirac la Vigne d'Yvon (70% Grenache and the rest Cinsault, Syrah and Mourvèdre) has tons of juicy dark fruits, blueberries, crushed violets and earth aromas and flavors in a fruit-forward, medium to full-bodied style. It should drink nicely on release.”
It’s cool, we get it, you want to know absolutely everything about this wine. Well here you go, go nuts.
Specs
- Region
- Rhône Valley
- Vintage
- 2015
- Cellaring
- 2026
- Preservatives
- Sulphites
- Alcohol by Vol.
- 15.0%
- Closure
- Cork
- Bottle Vol
- 750mL
- Blend Info
- ―
- Serving Temp.
- 15.0°C
Region
Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley is a dichotomous beast. The North is ruled by Syrah (=Shiraz), with or without a touch of Viognier for perfume, while in the South you'll find all matter of blends such as those of Chateauneuf du Pape (about thirteen varieties in these on average, at last count...) and the origins of the GSM (heard of Côtes du Rhône?). The Northern Rhône is Australia's ultimate sparring partner in the 'we say Shiraz, you say Syrah' fencing match. With such famous names as Côtes-Rôtie, Gigondas and Crozes-Hermitage (remember when Grange was called Hermitage...?), you can bet your bottom dollar - and the few hundred that go with it - that you'll need to be ticking off a few of the better ones before you kick it. Don't discount the whites though. Some of the finest whites you'll ever try come from Condrieu (the most sensual Viognier you'll try, at a price), and the lesser (in cost, at least) blends, often based on Grenache Blanc or Viognier. And watch out for dry, Rhône rose - it's become so popular that the industry bodies are warning the region not to over-produce. Look out Kiwi Sav Blanc!