From an AOC that’s increasingly seeing more investment and interest from Chateauneuf du Pape producers (no doubt due to the similarity of the terroirs), the 2014 Lirac is 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault and other permitted varieties. Deeper in color than the C?tes du Rh?ne, it offers up lots of black cherry, Proven?al herbs, licorice and dried spices to go with a medium-bodied, forward, nicely textured feel on the palate. Brought up in equal parts concrete tank and older, large barrels, it’s a high quality effort that’s well worth checking out.