video review: wine of the week

13th November 2011

Ogier, Lirac 2010, France
Lirac is an appellation of the Rhône Valley, not too far from Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It's one of CdP's greatest names, Ogier, that is behind this blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault from old vineyards. It is unoaked, so the nose offers a pure black fruit expression, but it is subtle and has a little pepper too. On the palate it is just a very intelligent wine with good balance and not too much of anything - tannin, acid, fruit or sweetness - and that makes it both versatile and very approachable, and with a couple of quid off it's a pretty good buy too. There are food matching suggestions in the video. £8.99, The Cooperative, but on offer at £6.99 from November 16th 2011 for three weeks.

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See previous wines of the week in the value archives