Xavier Vignon Lirac 2016

Jon Steeves rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Boldly boozy, weighing in at 15% ABV. Medium tannins, fine. Medium acidity, medium fruit. Dark cacao nibs, blackberry, violet, with a hint of herbes de Provence. Pairs well with braised rack of lamb. Tasted 2016 vintage in January 2019. 89 points

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

I love this 2016, although it is still a baby and needs to flesh out a bit. The X-factor potential is huge, though. Lots of garrigue-laced purple fruit and black briars along with mesquite, camphor and graphite. Drink in 2020. 91 Points.

Jane Staples rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Fragrant ripe dark berries and plums, with a rich palate that adds hints of oak and tar. Enjoy with game or hearty meat casserole.
Tasted Jan. 2019

Greg Hughes rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

Lirac might not be super familiar to you, unless you drink as much southern Rhone as I do. it sits just above Tavel, across the river from Chateauneuf du Pape.
It carries a bit less prestige than the famed Chateauneuf, but the same varietals are used and in similar proportions.
The soils are sandy and give off lots of heat, making very ripe grapes that produce smooth and rich reds.
This wine fits that category perfectly. Smooth and showing off the ripe flavours of Grenache: cherry, licorice, blackberry, dried herb, and a touch of charcoal. Pretty high alcohol, but it doesn't taste particularly strong. It retains that soft texture on the palate. Flaavours of cherries, chocolate, smoke, dried herbs, coffee bean, and smoke.
Fresh now amd it'll last a few years in the cellar. This would be a great wine for barbecue or red meats. Decant it for maybe an hour to coax out some more aromatics.

Ghislain Lalonde rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

FBS, DL91, JS89(2.5)
David Lawrason
This is a solid, well made Rhone from a seldom seen right bank appellation more famous for its roses. There is a solid underpinning without it being austere or too tannic. It has a pretty, plummy nose with well placed florals, spice and anise. The length is excellent. Rivals Chateaunneuf-du-Pape, if with a more firm structure. Tasted Jan 2019