Moulin Des Chênes Lirac 2016

Like the portal on Stargate, or the moment lightning strikes the clock tower, sending Marty McFly Back to the Future, you can yield incredible results when you can align elements in just the right way.

Combine, for example, an alluvial plateau of old oak trees, 50-year-old Grenache vines, 2,500 hours of sunlight (or thereabouts), the expertise of a renowned winemaker... and something magical is created.

One sip will have you floating off to a forest glade on a flying picnic rug, picking at ripe red fruits, freshly baked cinnamon buns and delicate, herb-crusted game.

Lirac is a Rhône cru and lies across the river, to the west of its world renowned neighbour Châteauneuf de Pape. The land has been under vine for the same amount of time as its neighbour but has not yet cemented the same reputation. The last few years have seen quality standards pushing the limits with a new generation of younger growers and modern technology.

Moulin De Chênes isn't just any old plot of land in Lirac. The vineyard’s 50 year old vines are located on an alluvial plateau from the Rhône river’s old bed. As a namesake to the wine, 'Le Chênes' actually translates to 'plateau of oak' meaning that vineyard rests on a plateau dotted with the old oak trees. This unique terroir is what drew the Bréchet family to this site and rightfully so as they are producing some truly phenomenal wines and are doing so in a carbon-neutral manner.

Made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. The grapes were harvested, de-stemmed and crushed, after which the wine spent a period of time on the skins to ensure ample colour and flavour extraction. The wine was aged in oak barriques for six months and is deep crimson in colour with a soft yet rich palate of ripe red fruit, juicy blackberry and nuances of forest floor, liquorice and sweet spice.