Domaine Duseigneur "Antarès" Lirac Rouge 2020 - Rhone, France

90/100 Jeb Dunnuck

Organic

Jeb Dunnuck "Lirac Antares is just as good, yet shows a much more classic style in its spiced red and blue fruits, sandalwood, ground black pepper, and incense-like aromas and flavors. It's medium to full-bodied, has a soft, supple mouthfeel, and outstanding length."

60% Grenache 40% Mourvedre
Alcohol: 15%

Antares is the main star in the constellation Scorpio. One of the main principles of biodynamics is to work in harmony with cosmic rhythms.

Bernard Duseigneur "Seizing the opportunity that nature gives us; that is the essence of biodynamics for me"

Bernard Duseigneur, hailing from a lineage of winemakers, assumed control of the family's domaine in 2002 after a stint in investment banking. Returning to his Mediterranean origins, he continued the legacy of his father and brother, ultimately settling in Châteauneuf-du-Pape on the left bank of the Rhône.

Varietals
Grenache 60% and Mourvdre 40%. The vines are 50 years old.

Winemaking and Ageing
The harvest is fully destemmed. Each variety is vinified separately using natural yeasts. The Grenache is aged in cement vats, the Mourvdre in od French oak demi-muids for 12 months.

Antares is a selection of vines located on hillsides of the Rhone Valleyf acing North, at the Western end of the Lirac appellation, at an altitude of 160m. The soils are deep sands and sandstones.

In the Châteauneuf-du-Pape area of the Rhone Valley, the terroir isn't solely defined by iconic orange pebbles; it comprises diverse soils like red clays, limestone, sandstone sands, and loams from the Rhone's banks. Acknowledging that exceptional terroir alone isn't enough for quality wines, Bernard prioritizes soil vitality. His team nurtures a diverse flora and fauna that mobilize trace elements, fostering symbiosis between plant and soil.