Domaine Maby - Lirac Bel Canto 2017

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Suave on the palate with rose notes, well-controlled tannins and a long, spicy finish.

About the domain :

At this historic Tavel estate, the Maby family produces wines of uniform quality, always honest, pleasant and fleshy. Managed by the dynamic Richard Maby, the domaine continues to progress, with the wines gaining in precision every year. The vineyards are located in the communes of Tavel, the Lirac plateau and in the neighboring Côtes du Rhône. Reasonable prices and consistent quality make this estate a sure bet on today's market, in all three colors.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the domain :

This estate, which is highly consistent in terms of quality, notably for its lirac, in all 3 colors, and tavel, was founded in 1950 by Armand Maby. In 2005, his grandson Richard took over the reins of the 53-hectare vineyard, mostly located on the rolled pebbles of the Vallongue plateau; the vines are cultivated "au naturel", and will be converted to organic farming in 2019. Since 2011, Philippe Cambie, an eminent Rhône nologist, has been advising the estate.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The 2017 Lirac Bel Canto - a 100% Grenache cuvée aged in demi-muids - has attractive aromas of peppery roasted meat, caramel, black cherry and cola. On the palate, it's full-bodied, rich and velvety, with an intense, mellow finish. [...]

Wine Spectator

About the wine:

In a ripe, elegant style, with flavors of plum, blackcurrant and blackberry compote, supported by a note of burnt alder and hints of smoky tobacco and bittersweet cocoa. Very solid.

Gilbert & Gaillard

About the wine:

Deep, young ruby color. Fine, racy nose, between stone fruits (plum, cherry) and spicy balsamic notes, mineral background. Volume, fullness, with fruit that energizes the whole. Controlled power. A Lirac of great aromatic purity.

Jeb Dunnuck