Lirac: Domaine Maby ‘La Fermade’ Rouge

The quintessential fireside red, from an underrated neighbour of Châteauneuf-du-Pape

At Domaine Maby, third generation Rhône winemaker Richard Maby has injected fresh impetus to the family’s 60 hectare estate since relinquishing his job at the Paris Bourse in 2005 and returning to the vineyards of his home. Just across the Rhône to the west of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Lirac is one of the most southerly Rhône Crus. It shares similar soils to Châteauneuf, including its famous galets roulés. ‘La Fermade’ refers to a previously-wooded plot that was cleared and replanted with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Picquepoul in the 1970s.

The wine is vinified in modern thermo-regulated stainless steel vats before maturing separately by grape. Syrah and Grenache are kept in concrete tanks to preserve their fruit whereas Mourvèdre has some time in oak to moderate its tannins. After blending, it is matured for up to two years in bottle before release.

Those vines, now fully mature, produce low yields of intense fruit with good acidity. The wine has juicy berry fruit, floral violets, peppery cardamom and a lingering finish.

Colour – Red
Producer – Domaine Maby
Country – France
Region – Rhône
Vegan – No
ABV – 14%
Grapes – Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah
Vintage – 2020
Sustainability – Non-Organic
Female Winemaker – No
Food Pairings – Beef, Lamb, Mushrooms