Domaine de Marcoux Lirac La Lorentine 2017
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Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
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Winemaker Notes
A relatively new addition to their holdings and totaling 8 hectares, their property in Lirac is a mix of Grencahe, Syrah and Mourvedre on a complex terroir of sand, pale clay limestone and gravelly red clay. It was a sadly neglected vineyard so it has taken many years to convert this site to biodynamics which is just beginning to show in the wines. What was once simple and benign has become stony and refined with a raciness from the Syrah (up to 30% of the blend) and real muscle from the Mourvedre (also up to 30% of the blend). A unique wine in the context of the property and a very serious style for Lirac.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 40% Syrah and 10% Grenache, the 2018 Lirac La Lorentine combines notes of cola, plums, blueberries and black olives on the nose. It's full-bodied, concentrated, silky and long, with a hint of licorice on the finish. It's a damn good-looking Lirac.
Range: 92-94
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Jeb Dunnuck
A blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 40% Syrah, and 10% Grenache brought up in concrete (the Syrah is in foudre), the 2018 Lirac Lorentine has a beautiful ruby/purple color as well as a spicy, Mourvèdre nose of blue and red fruits, spice, earth, and ground pepper. It's another rich, medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant wine from this team, and my money is on it being outstanding.
Range: 90-92
Other Vintages
2019-
Parker
Robert -
Spectator
Wine
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Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
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Parker
Robert -
Dunnuck
Jeb
In 1990, the Domaine became the first in the Chateauneuf-du-Pape to implement biodynamic farming practices. Their youngest vines are 40 to 60-years-old, and in short, the sisters do as little as possible to the harvested grapes. This domaine, as critic Stephen Tanzer put it, is "the essence of Chateauneuf-du-Pape."
In 2003, Robert Parker named Sophie and Catherine on his list of "Wine Personalities of Year," writing, "Over the last 12 years, the biodynamically farmed vineyard has risen to the top of Chateauneuf-du-Pape's quality hierarchy. The two red wines produced have been stunning, with the regular cuvée of Chateauneuf-du-Pape one of the finest in the appellation, and the limited production Cuvée Vieilles Vignes one of the world’s truly magnificent wines."
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A larger region between Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Tavel, Lirac red wines resemble some of the best Cotes du Rhone Villages wines, while it’s rosés are akin to those of Tavel. The region’s quality whites, based on Bourboulenc, Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne, are round and fruit-driven.