Robert - Wine Specialist, Pasadena

A must have high scoring value from France

In my twenty years in the wine business there has been one standout wine region that has over delivered and remains the pound for pound champion of outstanding wine for the money. Lirac, or I like to call it “poor man’s Chateauneuf du Pape.” Lirac's wine history dates to Roman times, and the region was famous in the Middle Ages. The appellation was officially established as an AOC in 1945. Lirac is located on the right bank of the Rhône River, near Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Tavel. Lirac has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and is influenced by the cooling Mistral wind. The soils consist of sandstone, limestone, and clay, with some vineyards having the "pudding stones" (galets roulés) characteristic of the Rhône. 

The Mission wine team spent most of the summer tasting through several producers of Lirac and we recently unanimously chose the 2022 Xavier Vignon Lirac as our pick. This wine hits all cylinders and over delivers for its under $25 price tag. The blend is 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre. Take a bottle home and pair with any red meat or winter stew.

91 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “Intense garrigue notions of resinous
herbs—rosemary, lavender, and bay—appear on the nose, supporting cherries and
raspberries. Full-bodied, supple, and creamy in feel, with a long, herb-tinged finish
and a coating of dusty tannins, this is an excellent representation of vintage and
place.”

91 Points James Suckling “A focused, dense, and serious Lirac red. It has notes of
dark berries, dried herbs, bay leaves, and baking spices on the nose, following
through to a full body with plush tannins. Dense, intense core of sweet berries and
spices and a focused finish. Drink or hold.”