Château de Ségriès Lirac Cuvée Réservée 2007

Very fresh with nice plum and black cherry fruit laced with violet and tobacco notes. Drink now through 2010.

More serious, structured, and meaty is the 2009 Lirac Cuvee Reservee. Fifty percent Grenache, 30% Syrah and the rest Cinsault, Mourvedre and Carignan, this has more earthy, foresty notes, an opaque ruby/purple color, hints of incense, blue and black fruits, medium body and light to moderate tannin in the finish. It is just becoming drinkable yet should age reasonably well for 5-7 years. The new releases from proprietor Henri de Lanzac are all impressive.

A brilliant wine, the 2007 Lirac Cuvee Reservee red requires another 6–12 months of bottle age. A combination of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Carignan, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple hue as well as a big, bold aromatic display of fresh mushrooms, tree bark, blueberries, and black cherries. Deep, textured, full-bodied, powerful, and muscular with some tannin to shed, this offering should be forgotten for a year or so, and consumed over the following decade.

This ripe red shows a slightly raisined edge to its linzer torte, plum sauce and crushed cherry fruit. Licorice and spice notes mark the lightly firm finish. Drink now through 2012.

This is a wonderful Rhandocirc;ne blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Mourvandegrave;dre and 5% Carignan from 40 year old vines. A deep crimson color is followed by blueberry and forest aromas. Upon the palate are lusty flavors of black cherry and black pepper. The wine is muscular yet balanced, with a long lasting finish. Have a nice juicy steak with this one!

This is a wonderful Rhône blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, 5% Mourvèdre and 5% Carignan from 40 year old vines. A deep crimson color is followed by blueberry and forest aromas. Upon the palate are lusty flavors of black cherry and black pepper. The wine is muscular yet balanced, with a long lasting finish. Have a nice juicy steak with this one!

A brilliant wine, the 2007 Lirac Cuvee Reservee red requires another 6-12 months of bottle age. A combination of 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault, Mourvedre, and Carignan, it exhibits a dense ruby/purple hue as well as a big, bold aromatic display of fresh mushrooms, tree bark, blueberries, and black cherries. Deep, textured, full-bodied, powerful, and muscular with some tannin to shed, this offering should be forgotten for a year or so, and consumed over the following decade.