The 2006 Lirac is cut from the same cloth but with more to it. There is additional body, fruit, and concentration. This is an outstanding source for excellent Cotes du Rhones, Liracs, and limited production Chateauneuf du Papes. They are made in a modern style, yet retain Provencal typicity. Always darkly colored with loads of fruit, they are meant to be consumed during their first 8-10 years of life.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

A real beauty and a sleeper of the vintage is the well-endowed, dense ruby/purple-colored 2005 Lirac. This wine shows gorgeous fruit, tremendous aromatics, with black fruits, licorice, flowers, and some Provencal spices. Lush, heady, and savory, this is a mouthful of beautifully balanced wine that should drink nicely for 4-5 years. This estate has come on impressively over the last five to six years. Although they have always made terrific Tavel roses and good Cotes du Rhones and Liracs, their small production of Chateauneuf du Pape has been raised to a new, exciting level of quality. The wines here are very Provencal, but lush in fruit and accessible, clearly meant to be drunk in their exuberant youthfulness.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

Raspberry, garrigue, and smoky notes appear in the 2004 Lirac Roc Epine. It has medium body, good, fresh acidity, ripe tannin, and a long finish. It should drink well for 5-6 years. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

A great value from Lafond (who also makes a terrific Tavel rose) is the 2001 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Lirac. This junior Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a dense ruby/purple color along with a sumptuous bouquet of jammy black fruits intermixed with licorice, spice box, herbs, and pepper. Enjoy this lush, fruit-driven 2001 over the next 3-4 years. Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173

The dense purple-colored 2000 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Lirac is bursting with gorgeous black cherry and currant fruit intermixed with hints of smoke and licorice. Pure and ripe, it is a southern Rhone fruit bomb revealing surprising nuances. It is the type of value-priced red that is virtually impossible to find anywhere else in the world. Enjoy it over the next 7-8 years. It is a super bargain.Importer: Alain Junguenet, Wines of France, Mountainside, NJ; tel. (908) 654-6173