Lirac Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine

A family run estate going from generation to generation since the 18th century.   Currently the estate is run by the very capable hands of Jean-Baptiste Lafond, son of Pascal Lafond.
The family's vision of wine is well summed up in this sentence - “Wine is like a concert: The terroir is the score, the vine is the instrument and the winemaker is the musician” -  LYDIA BOURGUIGNON

Grape varieties: Grenache 60%, Syrah 30%, Carignan 5%, Mourvèdre 5%. .   The grapes are picked 70% by machine and 30% by hand while respecting the quality of the harvest.
Vinification and ageing method: Completely destemmed, long vatting for 21 days, which allows for supple and well-present tannins; pressing, then end of fermentation and storage in stainless steel vats until the first racking . Then into new barrels for 3 to 4 months, in order to soften the tannins and oxygenate the wine. Finally, the wine ages in bottle for at least 6 months before release.

Tasting note: Complexity, freshness and smoothness are the core elements of this wine - red fruit such as cherry and juicy berries with nuances of spice. Supple grainy tannin leads to long, smooth finish.   After an ample and firm attack, the palate expresses nuances of spices and supple tannins which persist until the finish. It is a rich wine with very good length.