Corne Loup Lirac Rouge 2017

Corne Loup Tavel Rose is made from  60% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, 10% Syrah, 15% mix of Mourvèdre, Clairette & Carignan

Elegant, refreshing, food-friendly and versatile, this Tavel offers mouth-watering aromas of strawberry and berry pie.

Corne Loup Tavel represents the pinnacle of the rose pyramid quality wise that can be achieved in the Southern Rhone. The town of Tavel has been famous for its rose wine since the time of the Popes in Avignon (1300's). Tavel is about 2,300 acres in size and produces about 500,000 cases yearly of 9 liter cases, plus can age for 2-3 years, unlike many other roses. Produced from a blend of  Grenache, Cinsualt, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Carignan, the wine comes from a famous sub-parcel called the Plateau de Vallongue between Tavel and Lirac AOC's.

The 20 hectare-vineyards are located in the hamlets of Oliver, Campet, Vestides and Vallongue. The Tavel from this producer is a blend of all 3 soils types you can find in the AOC:

• Vestides is located West of the village of Tavel. The terroir is made of flat white stones.
• Vallongue is located Northeast of the Village of Tavel. The terroir is similar to Chateauneuf du Pape, with a lot of pebble stones. (Galets Roules).
• Olivet is located South-East of the village of Tavel. The terroir is made of sandy soils and some stones.

Dry and lively, it is an ideal wine for barbecues as it makes a wonderful sipper that's also capable of matching with a wide variety of summer foods, including grilled chicken, seafood and summer salads

Mordoree Lirac Rouge Reine des Bois equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

Color : deep dark red, with blueish hints.
Aromas : highly fruity ( raspberry, billberry, blackberry ), floral (violet) and intense with a grilled touch ( coffee ).
Palate : melted and concentrated tannins, full bodied, very long fresh finish.
Ageing potential : 8 to 10 years

Grilled meats, sauce meats, game birds, game rabbits and semi-mature cheeses.

Review:

"The flagship is the 2017 Lirac La Reine Des Bois, a Mourvèdre-heavy blend that includes 30% each of Syrah and Grenache. Its deep purple color is followed by stunning notes of blackberries, cassis, graphite, earth, and peppery herbs. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated, and voluptuous, it has no hard edges, remarkable purity, and a blockbuster finish. It's a decidedly sexy, forward, opulent wine from this estate to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (August 16th 2019), 93 pts

Alain Jaume Lirac Rouge Roquedon is made from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan.

Inky color. The nose is dominated by aromas of wild fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry) and spices. Long and balanced mouth.
"Roquedon" deliver more of the "round"- "sweet" body from the Grenache, and cherry-red fruit expression. It is dark in color, almost black.

Traditional wine-making in stainless still vats. Crushed and destemmed grapes. Fermentation temperature : 30°C. 18 days of vatting with pigeages. Ageing mainly in vats and about 10% in oak barrels. Bottling 15 months after the harvest.

2015 is another extraordinary vintage that fully expresses classic Cabernet style from this famed, high elevation site. Packed with complex aromas of ripe blackberries, cocoa along with some delicate minerality, it just begs for another swirl. As this wine opens up, aromas of plum, ripe blackberry, cassis and crushed rock can be found. Complex on the palate, ripe concentrated fruit leads the way, evolving into mocha, cedar, leather and spice, all wrapped in a subtle layer of sweet toasty oak. Bold and extracted, elegant and refined, this seductive wine delivers everything we love about Howell Mountain Cabernet. Enjoy now or lay a few bottles down for a few more years.

Mordoree Lirac Rouge Reine des Bois equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre

Color : deep dark red, with blueish hints.
Aromas : highly fruity ( raspberry, billberry, blackberry ), floral (violet) and intense with a grilled touch ( coffee ).
Palate : melted and concentrated tannins, full bodied, very long fresh finish.
Ageing potential : 8 to 10 years

Grilled meats, sauce meats, game birds, game rabbits and semi-mature cheeses.

"A tank sample of the 2018 Lirac La Reine des Bois suggests yet another top vintage for this reliable cuvée. It's more "red fruits" than the 2017, but it's still fully ripe, with velvety tannins, ample weight and power on the palate and a bright, vibrant finish. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #256, October  2019), 91-93 pts

IMPORTER SALE!

Begude Cadet de la Begude Rouge  is made from 35% Mourvedre, 35% Grenache and 30% Cinsault.

A selection of young vines, with no oak aging. Full fruit with a fresh and provencal character.

The noble terroir of Provence and the signature of the Tari Family raised at Chateau Giscours in Margaux and at the Domaine de la Begude in Bandol - the 7th generation of vignerons - gave birth to this valiant Cadet.
A selection with a fragrance of freedom, respectful of the environment, carried by the Mistral wind and the light of the Mediterranean Sea.

Average age of the vines: 10 years
Planted on clay and limestone soils. 
Double sorting, total destemming, grapes pressuring and maceration in vats.
Aged 2 months on the lees. 
Gentle filtration before bottling.

Grilled lamb, meat cooked with sauce, southern French cuisine and tasty dishes (tajines, couscous, paellas).

Review:

"This young, deep-purple-colored wine is almost the equivalent of a Bordeaux second wine. A blend across the two appellations of Côtes de Provence and Bandol, it has a rich potential, spicy, herbal while also packed with generous black fruits. The tannins will allow it to age, so save for 2019. -R.V."

- Wine Enthusiast (July 1st 2018), 90 PTS

"Roughly one-third each Mourvèdre, Grenache and Cinsault, the 2017 Cadet de la Begude is a new IGP wine meant to introduce the domaine to new audiences. It's an unoaked, medium to full-bodied wine, bold and berry-scented, loaded with plum and raspberry flavors, soft tannins and a lingering finish. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Interim end of September, September 2018), 90 pts

As to the reds, the 2017 Cadet de la Begude is close to an even split of Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsault that’s a selection of younger vines aged in tank. It’s a charming, textured, nicely layered Bandol that has good complexity in its spicy dark fruits and peppery aromatics. It’s already drinking nicely yet will keep for 7-8 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 90 pts