Château Montfaucon Lirac 2019
Price: $23.95
Channel: LCBO Vintages
Producer: Château Montfaucon
Country: France
Region: Provence (Southern Rhône)
Appellation: Lirac AOC
Grapes: Grenache (60%), Syrah (30%), Cinsault (10%)
Alcohol by Volume: 14.5%
Sugar Content: 4 grams per litre
The town of Lirac lies on the Right Bank of the Rhône more or less right across the river from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The soils, the climate and the grapes grown in the vineyards of Lirac are the same as those in Châteauneuf, but history has not been as kind. For a very long time the eastern side of the river belonged to the Popes, and the wines of the town made their way to the papal cellars of Avignon and Rome, while the western side belonged to Spain and the wines were not celebrated until recently. The 2019 Château Montfacon is an excellent and delicious way to give Lirac its due attention while smugly enjoying the fact that it is priced well under the wines from that other town. Look for ample dark red to black fruit and scrubby herbal garrigue notes supported by a fine balance of tannin and food friendly acidity, without heat despite nearly 15 degrees of alcohol. This is a big bad red wine ready for grilled meats and vegetables and capable of sustaining through the evening for those who like to linger at the table.