2020 Lirac Reine des Bois

Offering more density, the 2020 Lirac Cuvée De La Reine Des Bois has terrific purity in its black raspberry and darker cherry fruits as well as violet, flowers, and sappy garrigue-like aromatics. Beautiful on the palate as well, it's medium-bodied, has fine tannins, a seamless, pure, gorgeous texture, and a great finish. It’s a seriously good Lirac (probably the best in the appellation) that will evolve for a decade. Looking at the vintages reviewed here, the estate compared 2020 to a mix of 2019 and 2018, commenting that their 2020s were less concentrated than their 2019s, which I wholeheartedly agree with, although I feel their 2020s still have plenty of structure. The 2021s show the fresher style of the vintage but don’t lack ripeness and have plenty of texture. As usual, all of these wines are impeccably made and worth seeking out.

Blending roughly one-third each of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, the 2020 Lirac Blanc La Reine des Bois is delightful. Ripe black cherry, licorice, forest strawberry and iodine are all pushed forward. Medium-bodied and spot-on in balance, the 2020 concludes with a refreshing finish and can be enjoyed until 2030. It was aged for one year in a combination of old oak barrique and stainless-steel tanks in equal proportions.