The 2011 Lirac Domaine de la Lorentine is a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre aged in cement tanks. While not quite as rich as the 2010, the 2011 possesses plenty of charming, elegant raspberry and black cherry fruit with loamy soil notes in the background. This medium-bodied Lirac is best drunk over the next 2-3 years. One of the classic family-owned domaines in Chateauneuf du Pape (of which there are many), Domaine de Marcoux is run by two dynamic sisters, Sophie and Catherine Armenier. The estate, which can trace its history back to 1344, has only been estate bottling since 1978. It owns over 40 acres, all of which have been biodynamically farmed since the early 1990s as this was one of the first properties to move to this strict style of farming. Both cuvees of Chateauneuf du Pape were made in 2011, and in a year that saw a relatively large crop, yields were reduced at Marcoux, averaging 22 liters per hectare. They had to do a Draconian-like triage on the grapes during the harvest. The 2010s are very successful at Domaine de Marcoux. Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

The bright cherry sauce and red licorice flavors are backed by a fruitcake note, offering a polished, silky finish. Drink now through 2014. 168 cases imported.??–JM??Region: France / Southern Rh?ne / Lirac Select to Add