The 2008 Lirac Clos de Sixte displays some of the vintage’s shortcomings, although it is a very good wine. A blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre, it is a fully mature red revealing a lot of earthy, peppery, spicy notes intermixed with a sandy/leafy component. The wine possesses good ripeness, a dark ruby color, and round tannins, but the fruit is pushed to the back by the spice and garrigue characteristics. I would suggest drinking it over the next 2-3 years. Grand Veneur is one of the most brilliant estates in Chateauneuf du Pape as well as the force behind the negociant wines sold under the Alain Jaume label. Virtually everything they produce has merit. Some of this estate’s 2009 red wines are just hitting the market as they are bottled early to preserve their fruit and freshness. I can’t say enough about the job Alain Jaume’s two sons, Sebastian and Christophe, have done with this estate. The impeccable attention to detail in the vineyards, the meticulous vinification, and the careful bottling benefit every consumer.Importer: Fran Kysela, Kysela Pere et Fils, Winchester, VA; tel. (540) 722-9228; Fax (540) 722-9258