The 2009 Lirac Domaine de la Lorentine, an equal part blend of Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache aged in cement tanks, exhibits a dark ruby/plum color along with sweet scents of truffles, blueberries, black raspberries, garrigue and underlying floral notes. This medium to full-bodied Lirac combines power with elegance and is ideal for drinking over the next 5-7 years. This estate has been long run with great attention to detail and passion by the Armenier sisters, Sophie and Catherine. One of the oldest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape (records go back to the 14th century), the vineyards are biodynamically farmed at this small, 42-acre property. The Armenier sisters’ newest acquisition is the Domaine de la Lorentine in the up and coming appellation of Lirac. This wine gets better with each vintage as they get to know the vineyard.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

A wine that continues to get better with each new vintage is the 2008 Lirac Domaine La Lorentine. A blend of 50% Grenache and the rest equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre, it reveals abundant minerality, good elegance, lush red and black fruits, and hints of Provencal herbs as well as damp earth. One of the appellation’s great traditional names as well as one of the many biodynamically farmed vineyards of the area, sisters Sophie and Catherine Armenier run this estate with extreme passion and attention to detail. As I have indicated in the past, this family can trace its origins back to the mid-14th century. Domaine de Marcoux owns some very old vines from which they produce nearly 3,000 cases of their regular Chateauneuf du Pape, and about 400-500 cases of the Vieilles Vignes.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565

Two good value picks from Marcoux include the Lirac offerings.They continue to be a work in progress, and the 2007 Lirac Domaine La Lorentine is the finest example yet produced. There are only 7,000 bottles of this 50% Grenache and 50% Mourvedre and Syrah blend. It exhibits elegant, juicy blue and black fruits intermixed with notions of earth and spring flowers. Medium-bodied, fresh, and lively, it is best consumed over the next 3-4 years. I’m always interested in what sisters Sophie and Catherine Armenier are doing at this biodynamically farmed vineyard, one of my favorite estates. Not surprisingly, they have produced extraordinary wines in 2007 as well as 2006s that are nearly as good. As most vignerons do, the Armeniers attribute the greatness of the 2007 vintage to both the drought that lasted from late spring through the end of September as well as the cooler than normal temperatures that were followed by three weeks of ferocious Mistral winds in September. Without any serious heat spikes, the Mistral seemed to concentrate the grapes, with the cooler weather causing very intense aromatics.Importer: Eric Solomon, European Cellars, Charlotte, NC; tel. (704) 358-1565