Château Boucarut, 'Pierres Vivantes', 2022, Lirac (AOC)

'One-Liner'
Natural Lirac with bags of life – raspberry, wild blackberry and pepper with silky tannins, herbs and a wonderfully fresh Rhône finish.

Tasting Note
Deep ruby in the glass, with an immediately appealing nose of fresh raspberry, wild blackberry and ripe red cherry alongside pepper, graphite and gentle floral notes. The palate is supple and juicy, with generous fruit carried by fresh acidity and smooth, finely shaped tannins. Hints of liquorice, cocoa and Mediterranean herbs bring savoury depth without taking away from the wine’s wonderfully lively character. There is plenty of Southern Rhône warmth here, but it never feels heavy or overworked. Fresh, silky and expressive on the finish, with red berries, spice and a gently earthy edge lingering behind.

Country: France
Region: Rhone
Sub-Region: Lirac AOC
Grape(s): Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault
ABV: 14.5%
Friendly: Organic, Natural

Awards & Critics' Scores
La Revue du Vin de France – 90/100

The Story
'Pierres Vivantes' is a brilliant snapshot of what Château Boucarut is trying to achieve in Lirac: organic farming, minimal intervention and a wine that feels alive rather than polished into anonymity. The fruit comes from sandy hillsides and terraces scattered with small rounded stones over a sandy subsoil, giving Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault plenty of ripeness without sacrificing freshness. The grapes are harvested by hand, vinified without added sulphites and bottled without fining or filtration, allowing the fruit and savoury character of the vineyard to come through with as little interference as possible. The result is unmistakably Southern Rhône, but with a fresher, more fluid personality than the region’s heavier traditional styles.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Slow-braised beef goulash with sweet paprika and caraway
- Vegetarian: Chestnut mushroom pithivier with a dressed green salad
- Vegan: Roast celeriac with Puy lentils, braised shallots and peppercorn jus