Domaine Giraud Lirac Rouge Les Sables D’arene 2020 750 ML

Once coming entirely from Grenache planted around 1950 in a sandy part of Lirac, the former Cotes-du-Rhone Les Sables d’Arene would be a standout Lirac if it wasn’t for the fact that mono-varietal wines were not permitted according under current AOC rules. Starting with the 2018 vintage, Les Sables d’Arene is now officially a Lirac since an elderly and heirless neighbor in Lirac was so impressed with François organic farming that he has leased his old vines of Syrah and Mourvedre to Domaine Giraud. Depending on yields Sables d’Arene is about 2/3 Grenache with the remainder equal parts Syrah and Mourvedre. It retains its characteristic bright floral and bright cherry aromas with touches of bay laurel and peppery tannins.