Lirac & Tavel 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Some fresh and well-balanced Lirac whites and some powerful Tavel rosés have come through in the 2021 vintage, Matt Walls highlights the ones to seek out.
It was difficult to find many Liracs to recommend this year; they seemed to be hit particularly hard by the challenges of 2021, producing wines with thin red fruit and coarse tannins.
Scroll down to see tasting notes and score for top Lirac and Tavel 2021 wines
See all 400 Rhône 2021 tasting notes and scores
See the Rhône 2021 full vintage report and top scoring wines
Ambre Delorme at Domaine de la Mordorée described it as a very difficult vintage. She decided to pick before the storm of September 15, and was glad that she did; some of her neighbours who waited ended up abandoning their harvest altogether.
It’s a classically-styled vintage for Lirac whites, however, which were fresh and well-balanced. It’s good to see such diversity with grape varieties and blends, and this year the characteristically straight Lirac style shines through with clarity.
Tavel produced a crop of powerful and well-balanced rosés that should age well thanks to their intensity and acidity.
See also – individual appellation analysis on:
Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise | Rasteau, Cairanne and Vinsobres
Rhône 2021 score tables:
All top Rhône 2021 score table
Top-scoring southern Rhône 2021 score table
Top-scoring northern Rhône 2021 score table
Lirac and Tavel 2021 key producers:
Château de Montfaucon – Lirac
Domaine de la Mordorée – Lirac
Domaine Maby – Lirac
Château d’Aqueria – Tavel
Domaine de la Mordorée – Tavel
Les Vignerons de Tavel – Tavel
Lirac and Tavel 2021 top value wines:
Domaine Coudoulis, Euphorie, Lirac
Domaine Maby, La Fermade, Lirac
Château d’Aqueria, Tavel
Domaine de la Mordorée, La Reine des Bois, Tavel
Les Vignerons de Tavel, Domaine des Carteresses, Tavel
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Matt Walls’ top-scoring Lirac and Tavel 2021 wines:
The wines below all scored 90 points or above, and are listed in order of appellation, white then red in score order.
Related content
Rhône 2021 en primeur: full vintage report and top-scoring wines
Southern Rhône 2021: full report and top-scoring wines
Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2021: report and top-scoring wines
Château de Montfaucon, Vin de Madame la Comtesse, Lirac, Rhône, France, 2021
Aniseed and fennel notes on the nose, a whiff of chalk dust. Good weight and amplitude despite the vintage, and the acidity is present, deep set, but not high. It has a satisfying texture and a gently tannic nip on the finish. Long, savoury, with a touch of macadamia nut. Impressive freshness and focus.
2021
Château de MontfauconLirac
Domaine de la Mordorée, La Reine des Bois, Lirac, Rhône, France, 2021
There's a touch of oak on the nose and palate that helps to frame the tangy citrus notes, and lends a touch of spice, but it's far from overwhelming. Full-bodied, classically Lirac in its breadth on the palate. Ends on a nip of grapefruit bitterness. Good acidity. Also contains Marsanne, Viognier and Piquepoul.
2021
Domaine de la MordoréeLirac
Domaine Coudoulis, Euphorie, Lirac, Rhône, France, 2021
Its pale colour suggests a zestier style of Lirac blanc, which is confirmed on the nose where it displays bright satsuma and white flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, it's rounded and opulent on the palate, with more citrus flavours coming through. Drink young. Also contains 15% Viognier and 11% Roussanne.
2021
Domaine CoudoulisLirac
Domaine Maby, Casta Diva, Lirac, Rhône, France, 2021
Violet, aniseed, lemon oil and kumquat - lovely aromatics on display, really lively and bright. The oak is more apparent on the palate, but it works surprisingly well. Not overly full-bodied, good acidity, and a neat, precise finish. Fermented then aged for six months in new barrels.
2021
Domaine MabyLirac
Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine, Lirac, Rhône, France, 2021
Fairly forthright oak notes and a full-bodied palate, this Lirac is certainly aimed at the dinner table rather than the bar. Good length of flavour, with a gently oily texture, finishing on tangy ripe lime and nectarine fruit.
2021
Domaine Lafond Roc-EpineLirac
Château de Montfaucon, Vin de Monsieur le Baron, Lirac, Rhône, France, 2021
Quite reserved on the nose, with a touch of bay leaf and menthol. Full-bodied, with a distinct herbal vein running through it. Intense acidity and a good sense of tension and minerality, showing much better today than when I tasted it six months ago. Not the most concentrated example, but good freshness. Barrel sample.
2021
Château de MontfauconLirac
Château de Montfaucon, Lirac, Rhône, France, 2021
A relatively discrete, diminutive but well-made Lirac in a tricky vintage, this has ripe berry fruits and neat, compact tannins that haven't been overworked. Good sense of purity and balance.
2021
Château de MontfauconLirac
Château d'Aqueria, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
Quite a serious, savoury nose, showing black cherry and garrigue herbs. Full-bodied, with real depth and power. Acidity and alcohol are well balanced and it has a slightly chalky texture. An authentic Tavel, made in a traditional rather than natural style. Estate now owned by Guigal.
2021
Château d'AqueriaTavel
Les Vignerons de Tavel, Domaine des Carteresses, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
Lovely nose, with pêche de vigne notes. Full-bodied, firm and dry, but not austere. The alcohol isn't low, but it helps to carry the wine and contributes to its power and generosity of texture and flavour. Long finish. Also contains 5% each of Bourboulenc, Carignan, Mourvèdre, Piquepoul and Syrah.
2021
Les Vignerons de TavelTavel
Château de Manissy, Langoustière, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
Good intensity of fruit and flavour, decidedly full-bodied. Quite firm in acid and tannin. More like a light red. Has good length and tension. No malolactic.
2021
Château de ManissyTavel
Château la Genestière, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
Bright and exuberant on the nose, with blueberry and raspberry notes. Tangy acidity on a powerful, expressive and well-balanced palate. A touch of bitter herbs brings interest to the finish. Clay limestone terroir, half of which is covered with galets roulés, the other half in limestone shards. 12-24 hours maceration.
2021
Château la GenestièreTavel
Domaine Maby, Prima Donna, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
Lovely brightness from the Cinsault, bringing cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruit. A touch of dissolved carbon dioxide on the palate stops short of a spritz, but gives an enlivening touch. Refreshing, with bright berry fruit.
2021
Domaine MabyTavel
Grandes Serres, La Rose d'Aimée, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
Fresh herbal notes bring some interest to the red berry fruits. Dry, firm acidity – a Tavel for the dinner table. Good freshness and cut. Hand harvested, matured in stainless steel.
2021
Grandes SerresTavel
Les Vignerons du Castelas, Respelido, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
A hint of fresh rhubarb to the cherry and strawberry flavour. Good acidity, which propels the flavour into a long finish. A hit of minerality is further cleansing. Also contains 5% each of Mourvèdre, Clairette and Carignan.
2021
Les Vignerons du CastelasTavel
Domaine des Carabiniers, Tavel, Rhône, France, 2021
A deeply coloured rosé. Rather reductive nose and palate, but certainly has power and presence. Acidity just a touch low. Long finish, with a touch of chalky tannin. Needs decanting, and could be very good after a year in bottle.
2021
Domaine des CarabiniersTavel
