Wines Lirac Domaine La Mordorée - La reine des bois - 2023

Domaine La Mordorée’s "La Reine des Bois" 2023 is an exceptional white from Lirac AOC, situated in the Southern Rhône Valley. This wine is typically a blend of traditional Rhône white varietals such as Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette, and Bourboulenc. The 2023 vintage, benefitting from a relatively warm and dry growing season, delivers purity and concentration. Yields are usually kept low to ensure flavour intensity, while fermentation and ageing are partially conducted in stainless steel to protect freshness, and a portion in oak to bring subtle roundness and complexity. Expect a luminous colour with notes of white peach, quince, citrus blossom, and honeysuckle, while the palate offers a beguiling balance of richness and minerality, underpinned by a long, saline finish.

Lirac is one of the oldest terroirs in the Southern Rhône, positioned on the right bank of the Rhône River, facing Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The climate here is decidedly Mediterranean, with hot, sunny days and cooling mistral winds that preserve acidity and promote healthy ripening. The soils are a patchwork of rounded galets roulés (river stones), sandy clays, and limestone, imparting both power and elegance to the wines. Lirac has long produced wines of character and remains a region where white wines, in particular, are undervalued treasures.

This white Lirac pairs beautifully with a range of dishes. Its structure and aromatic complexity make it an ideal match for grilled Mediterranean fish such as sea bass with fennel, roast chicken with herbes de Provence, or seafood risotto. Regional Provençal recipes, like brandade de morue or a simple pissaladière, find harmonious company with its textural depth and fresh acidity.

For an optimal tasting experience, serve at a temperature between 10-12°C. Decanting is not strictly necessary but airing the wine for a short time in your glass will allow its floral and stone fruit aromas to unfold fully. Enjoy now for its vibrancy, though it has the structure to develop gracefully over several years.