Our Lirac Blanc is made from young vines aged five years. The grapes are harvested by hand in the morning dew to preserve the fruit’s freshness.
Vinification takes place at low temperature for two to three weeks in stainless steel vats or barrels. We make this wine using our own yeasts, which gives it additional character.
BREEDING :
The wines remain in stainless steel vats and barrels (2 to 3 wines) for part of the production over a period of 12 months.
TASTING :
The wine has fresh aromas of white vine peaches and white flowers. It is very fresh, with a fresh and elegant palate. It has buttery and toasty notes, with a pleasant balance.
Based on 50% Grenache Blanc and 50% Clairette Blanc and raised in 400-liter barrels with a touch in tank, the 2024 Lirac Blanc offers beautiful white peach, tart pineapple, spice, and mint with floral nuances as well as a kiss of minerality. It’s medium-bodied, has a pure, focused, elegant mouthfeel, and a good finish that brings solid richness while staying lively and fresh. Drink 2025-2030.
One of the leading estates (as well as a personal favorite) in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is Domaine Pierre Usseglio, which is run by brothers Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio, with the next generation of Gregory Usseglio now taking a larger and larger role. They farm roughly 60 hectares and produce a wide range of wines, including a Vin de France L’Unique (which replaced their Côtes du Rhône), a terrific Lirac in both red and white, and several Châteauneuf-du-Papes. The Première Pierre is the classic cuvée (75% Grenache with Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault), and there’s also the fun and eclectic Clos No 18, which includes all 18 permitted varieties… it’s never my favorite but always fun to taste. The two flagship cuvées are the Mon Aïeul (100% Grenache from Les Serres, Guigasse, and La Crau, vinified with whole clusters and aged in neutral demi-muids) and the Reserve des Deux Frères (100% Grenache from old vines, aged entirely in new barrels). These are two brilliant yet dramatically different expressions of Grenache. The 2023s are spectacular, with both the Mon Aïeul and Reserve reminding me slightly of the domaine’s 2006s (which are brilliant). The family opted not to produce their Reserve des Deux Frères cuvée in 2024, yet certainly the Mon Aïeul showed well.
A blend of Grenache Blanc and Clairette, the 2022 Lirac Blanc is more medium gold-hued with a more serious style in its pear and orchard fruits as well as spice and hints of minerality. Nicely textured, medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant on the palate, it’s a beautiful white that will shine on the dinner table.
The 2021 Lirac Blanc is terrific, and outside of Châteauneuf du Pape, Lirac might be producing some of the best whites in the region. Honeyed lime, mineral, flowers, and citrus all emerge on the nose, and it’s medium-bodied and clean, with a great texture and a crisp finish. Based on Clairette and Grenache, brought up in a mix of barrels and tank, it’s perfect for enjoying over the coming 2-3 years.
One of the leading estates in Châteauneuf du Pape is unquestionably Domaine Pierre Usseglio, which is run by Thierry and Jean-Pierre Usseglio, with the next generation of Gregory Usseglio now working full-time with the estate as well. The lineup has shifted slightly over the years, with their Côtes du Rhône being replaced by the L’Unique label, which is released as a Vin de France. They produce a terrific Lirac, both red and white. Looking at the Châteauneuf du Pape releases, the classic red and white are now released under the label Premiere Pierre, and they’ve added the new Clos Pierre Usseglio 18 Cépages, which includes all 18 of the permitted grape varieties, red and white. The Cuvée Mon Aïeul and Reserve des Deux Freres remain unchanged and are two brilliant, yet dramatically different, expressions of Grenache.
Slightly more focused and chiseled on the palate, the 2020 Lirac Blanc has classy notes of apple blossom, pear, and peach to go with a medium-bodied, nicely textured, fresh and lively style on the palate. It even shows a touch of salty mineral on the finish and will be incredibly versatile on the dinner table.
Starting with the 2019 Lirac Blanc from Pierre Usseglio, this light gold-hued beauty has a great bouquet of spiced citrus, lime, sappy flowers, and a touch of minerality that comes through on the palate. Medium-bodied and beautifully balanced, with racy acidity yet plenty of fruit, this is a terrific Lirac to enjoy over the coming 2-4 years.
