Ogier, Lirac 2010, France
Lirac is an appellation of the Rhone Valley, not too far from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It’s one of CdP’s greatest names, Ogier, that is behind this blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre 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.
