2021 Lirac Blanc 'Cuvée Diane', Domaine La Lôyane, Rhone Valley, France

A blend of Clairette 70% and Grenache 30%. 80 year old vines are planted in mixed soils of red sand, clay and round pebbles. Grapes are hand-harvested and vinification takes place in 100% old wooden casks. The wine is matured in large ‘demi-muid’ barrels for 6 months on the lees.

The tropical fruit attack is coated with scents of aromatic herbs (thyme, bay leaf). The delicate and fine attack plays on these sensitive notes with a finish of toasted hazelnut. Power and finesse with a hint of minerality.

Created in 2001 by wine growers going back four generations, Domaine La Loyane is a family owned vineyard cultivating 25 hectares in the communes of Rochefort du Gard, Saint Laurent des Arbres and Saze.

Profiting from an exceptional geographical and geological setting, the vineyard is managed with respect for the environment with low yields from the oldest part of the property. Each parcel is hand picked and vinified separately to give the family complete control over their finished wines, with the complex geology of their vineyards gives them scope to produce wines not only that have great concentration and length but that show real complexity too.