92 Points: “A wine that always seems to deliver, the 2016 Lirac Plateau des Chênes boasts a medium ruby color to go with terrific notes of red fruits (strawberries, cherries), flowers, ample spice, and subtle minerality. Possessing medium to full-bodied richness, a silky, elegant mouthfeel, and beautiful balance, it’s a no-brainer purchase from this estate that’s going to drink nicely for at least 5-7 years.” – Jeb Dunnuck (September 2018)
FROM THE IMPORTER
Laurent Brechet, and his brother Julien, are the grandsons of Gabriel Meffre. Through their mother, Sylvette, they inherited several properties when Gabriel died in 1987 including Château de Vaudieu in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine des Bosquets in Gigondas, some vineyards in Lirac and Château de la Coulerette in Provence. The estate had a great reputation during the 19th century exporting its wines all over Europe but it had fallen into disrepair by the time that Gabriel purchased it in 1955. At that time there were only about 25 hectares of vines which Gabriel expanded to nearly the current size of 70 hectares.
Just across the river from
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is Lirac. Its proximity and analogous terroir is why so many vigneron make wines in both appellations. While it is fairly cost prohibitive to buy land east of the river it is a much breezier proposition west of the river. Plateau des Chênes is comprised of 16 hectares on a plateau of red clay covered with galets. It is planted with Syrah, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, and Clairette. Unique to the appellation, it has a high percentage of both Syrah and white varieties. The wines are made at Château de Vaudieu by Laurent Brechet with the advice of Philippe Cambie.
The uniquely, Syrah-dominant Lirac rouge from Laurent Brechet stands apart from many of the wines in the appellation which generally and primarily are Grenache-based wines. Deeper in color with floral and spicy aromas, this Lirac is purple in color with remarkable freshness.
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