This well-known, large (over 250 acres) Chateauneuf du Pape estate has produced some of the greatest Chateauneuf du Papes I have ever tasted, including their 1949 (one of the top 25 wines of my lifetime), 1955 and 1961. This visit was the first time I have had a chance to taste these wines in many years, and it appears a younger generation is making a comeback with their offerings from Lirac and Chateauneuf du Pape.
2016 is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 8% Mourvedre and 2% Cinsault, Counoise, Muscardin and Vaccarese fully destemmed aged half in barrique and half in vats.

"Very dark robe, more black-purple than dark red. The bouquet is dense, unwavering, on a thorough black jam paste aroma, a super coulis of blueberry, nudges of black olives lurking. The palate is stylish, very filled, has salted threads along the way, the flavour one of bold black fruits with a sealed, always smooth, oily, gummy texture. This has enormous richness, fantastic length, is a very dense orb, with the tannins showing some spark and spice, tar, towards the close. It will live extremely well, has the balance and size of this remarkable vintage. A magnum would be amazing. This takes me back to the glory days of the 1960s here. 14.5°. 2058-60" drinkrhone.com Oct 2018