Crafted from a blend of 74% Grenache, 24% Syrah, and 2% Mourvèdre, this wine hails from 55- to 65-year-old vines planted in the galets roulés of the Lirac plateau.
Careful selection during multiple vineyard passes yielded exceptional, albeit limited, fruit. With four weeks on the skins, the grapes revealed their full expression.
The Essen blend was aged for 12 months in a mix of vessels—39% in new French oak, the rest in 2- and 3-year-old barrels and stainless steel. Our goal was to create a wine that balances freshness with the depth and concentration of a truly exceptional vintage.
This expressive Lirac showcases the distinctive character that makes southern Rhône wines so compelling. The wine displays a captivating deep purple hue in the glass—that distinctive “blurple” quality where red and blue fruit notes converge into something uniquely violet-toned, a hallmark of well-crafted Rhône reds.
On the palate, the wine delivers impressive weight and structure. The body is substantial and engaging, with excellent texture that coats the mouth beautifully. This is a wine with real presence—one that demonstrates both power and refinement in equal measure.
The fruit profile leans into the blue and purple hues, with the red and blue fruit elements melding seamlessly rather than standing out as distinct components. It’s this harmonious integration that gives the wine its singular, almost indescribable purple character.
The 2023 Etienne ‘Essen’ Lirac is highly approachable and drinking wonderfully now, showing the kind of immediate appeal that makes it perfect for current enjoyment. A compelling expression of terroir and winemaking skill that Rhône enthusiasts will appreciate.
Drink now through 2028
$129 (3 pack)
Our “reserve blend” is crafted only in exceptional vintages. It is named after the Four Holy Crowned Ones (The Coronati) and represents the pinnacle of Lirac winemaking.
For this blend, we selected the most concentrated and complex lots, aging them primarily in a new Taransaud puncheon, with 20% maturing in 2-year-old oak. We elevate the blend with Mourvèdre for added depth and complexity, while increasing the Syrah, which thrives in the region’s rocky soils, without overpowering the Grenache.
This vintage, made from 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre, is designed to showcase a harmonious balance of power, concentration, and finesse.’
With only around 100 cases produced, the Coronati is a wine of true distinction, crafted to offer weight, complexity, and exceptional balance.
$239 (3 pack)
