Deep red color. Aromas of red fruits (raspberry, blackcurrent) and flowers (violet). The palate is full, rich and ample; nicely concentrated. Long & fresh finish.
red meats, grilled meats, game and cheeses.
"Red and black fruits, licorice, peppery garrigue, and savory violet notes all emerge from the 2022 Lirac La Dame Rousse, a pure, medium-bodied, juicy Lirac offering soft tannins and a great finish."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 90 pts
"Aromas of spiced cherries, forest berries and sweet spices. Medium body with fine tannins. Layered and textured with a velvety mid-palate. Balanced and harmonious with a focused finish and excellent length. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (May 2023), 93 pts
"Medium dark red. Shows red berries,plum and underbrush on the nose. Suave on entry with a silky mouth feel, layers of rich and pure flavors, and finishing with round tannins. - Don WINKLER"
- International Wine Review (Kysela Père et Fils Importer: 30 Years Importing High Quality, High Value Wines ; July 26th 2024), 92 pts
"Tasted from multiple samples, the 2021 Lirac showed well, with a bright, juicy, ripe, medium-bodied style. It has the vintage's fresher, elegant profile but is certainly ripe, has supple tannins, and a great finish. It's going to drink nicely right out of the gate."
- Jeb Dunnuck (November 2022), 89-91 pts
"A fresh nose of black plum, fresh blackberries, thyme wild mint and dry potting soil meld in the glass. The palate exudes purity with a core of ripe black cherries and clove. It is rustic yet charming with youthful mouth-coating tannins that signal for a proper decant before enjoying with a juicy burger. — Anna-Christina CABRALES"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2023, Best of Year issue), 93 pts
"The full ripe-blackberry fruit on the full-bodied palate is underlined by healthy tannins, that put this firmly on the dry side and give it a classical style, in spite of the ample (15%) alcohol. Very interesting licorice and bark notes at the finish. And somehow all this has a certain refreshing quality. A cuvee of grenache and syrah. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (August 2022), 92 pts
"A blend of Grenache and Syrah (50/50), the 2020 Lirac La Dame Rousse offers a vibrant ruby/plum hue to go with a great nose of black raspberries, pepper, sappy flowers, and garrigue-like nuances. It's ripe, rounded, and textured, with fine tannins.."
- Jeb Dunnuck (November 2022), 90 pts
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2023, Best of Year issue), 93 pts
"For this appellation this is a remarkably restrained and rather elegant red with complex red-fruit, baking-spice and terra-cotta aromas. The self-confidently dry tannins build gently and keep the alcohol well in check until right at the end, when you do feel a touch of warmth. A blend of grenache and syrah. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (February 2022), 92 pts
"Leading off the 2018s, the classic 2018 Lirac La Dame Rousse checks in as an even split of Grenache and Syrah that was brought up all in stainless steel. It’s a more open, expressive wine compared to the more structured Reine des Bois and has loads of Provençal charm in its spicy red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, and incense aromas and flavors. Already hard to resist, this medium-bodied, front end loaded, charming 2018 will drink nicely for 4-5 years or so."
- Jeb Dunnuck (October 2020), 89 pts
"Sun-drenched cassis and blackberry penetrate from nose to finish in this pristine 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah. The palate is supple and spry—concentrated without feeling heavy or dense. Fine, taut tannins and hints of crushed earth linger on the finish. Ready now but should hold through 2025. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
- Wine Enthusiast (December 2020), 91 pts
"Based on equal parts Grenache and Syrah brought up in stainless steel, the 2017 Lirac La Dame Rousse is another winner. Ripe black cherries, ground herbs, hints of leather, and tons of spice notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, supple, seamless red that's beautifully balanced. With no hard edges, light tannins, and tons of charm, it's well worth seeking out and will keep for 4-5 years."
- Jeb Dunnuck (August 16th 2019), 89 pts
"A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2017 Lirac la Dame Rousse still hadn't been bottled at the time of my visit. It features ripe red and black cherries and a hint of chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, rich and velvety in feel, it should drink well young. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #245, October 2019), 89-91 pts
"Plush layers of preserved plum and cherry are speckled by darker tones of licorice, granite and dried earth in this plump, enveloping red. Full bodied and rippling like silk, it's a powerful yet open-knit wine with a soft, cocoa-powder finish. Enjoy now–2023. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
- Wine Enthusiast (March 2019), 92 pts
"Another outstanding wine is the 2016 Lirac La Dame Rousse, an even split of Grenache and Syrah, completely destemmed, that was brought up in tank. It offers a full-bodied, pure, elegant style that’s very much in the style of the vintage as well as lots of dark fruits, violets, pepper, and obvious minerality. I love its purity of fruit, it’s nicely balanced, and it’s just a beautiful wine in a fabulous vintage for the southern Rhône."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 91 pts
"Enticingly ripe, with dense raspberry and blackberry paste flavors forming the core while light anise, sweet spice and toast notes fill in around it. A licorice edge takes center stage through the finish. For the hedonist crowd. Drink now through . 2,300 cases made. –JM"
- Wine Spectator (November 2018), 91pts
"A 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2016 Lirac la Dame Rousse offers hints of tar and black olive on the nose, then follows those up with ripe cherries, cracked pepper and a long, dusty finish. - Joe Czerwinski"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 233, October 31st 2017), 91pts
"Moving to the reds from Lirac, the estate releases two cuvées: the base la Dame Rousse and the flagship La Reine des Bois. The 2015 Lirac la Dame Rousse is a top effort from this appellation that has classic, mineral-laced aromas and flavors of blackberries, mulberries, crushed rocks, graphite and peppery herbs. Rich, full-bodied and concentrated, it has lively acidity, notable tannic grip and plenty of length on the finish, all suggesting it will evolve nicely. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 227, October 28th 2016), 90-92 pts
"The 2014 Lirac La Dame Rousse tastes just like the Cuvee de la Reine des Bois, only slightly less concentrated and more forward, with medium-bodied richness and a silky, polished feel on the palate. It’s a smoking value that readers need to seek out. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate (Issue 227, October 28th 2016), 91 pts
"Fermented in stainless steel tanks, this grenache-syrah blend is almost crunchy in its freshness, the fruit firm and juicy, holding to an elegant, clean line."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (February 2017) 90 pts + Year's Best Rhone + BEST BUY
In 1986, Francis Delorme and his son Christophe decided to devote themselves to their passion for wine. They bought an estate in Tavel with the goal of producing the greatest ...
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