The opinion of the sommelier
Lirac is the appellation located just in front of Chateauneuf Du-Pape! In the Lirac vineyard, we can also find the famous rounded pebbles, so characteristic of Châteauneuf: those little stones were made famous thanks to their ability ofstoring heat during the day to return it to the vines at night. This wine is sophisticated, and I truly enjoyed the silky tannins, the spicy notes and the good balance of alcohols. Powerful, it goes perfectly with strong dishes, such as meat in sauce.
Terroir
The vines grow on a red calcareous-clay soil, full of pebbles accumulating heat during the day and returning it at night. The terraces above the village of Saint-Laurent-les-Arbres ensure a flow of rainwater, hence avoiding any stagnation that would damage the roots,
while the Mistral wind regulates the humidity of the vineyard.
Grape variety
Grenache is a grape of high quality, present on the Mediterranean front. Colorful and generous, it has a high alcoholic degree. On
the other hand, Syrah reveals its silky tannins, and brings smooth touches of violet and blackberry.
Vintage
The climate is typically Mediterranean, with low rainfall and a sunshine average of 2700 hours per year! This 2012 vintage has not started very well with a wet winter carrying diseases and freshness, triggering the vegetative cycle to beggin late. However,summer brought to maturity rather good quality grapes in mid-September. 
A winemaker, a family
The domaine Coudoulis managed to maintain a good reputation since its takeover by Bernard Callet in 1996. This winemaker’s choices have a lot to play in this reputation: indeed, the yield is limited to 42 hectoliters per hectare, harvest is done manually and the grappes destalking is made very carefully so that the tanks contain the least possible impurities.
My VitiBox, September. 2014 / bouteille
Sold by cases of 3 or 6 bottles until the 31th August 2014.Delivery within 21 days.
This wine is sophisticated, and I truly enjoyed the silky tannins, the spicy notes and the good balance of alcohols. Powerful, it goes perfectly with strong dishes, such as meat in sauce.
