2010 Domaine Duseigneur Lirac Antàres

Domaine Duseigneur was started in 2007 when Bernard Duseigneur teamed up with Philippe Faure-Brac to start a label. Duseigneur comes from a family of Provenance winemakers, and he ran his father’s domaine in Saint Laurent des Arbes for a few years starting in 2002. But Duseigneur wanted property on the left bank of the Rhône in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and sought out Faure-Brac, one of France’s most distinguished sommeliers, to join him as winemaker. The estate makes red and white Châteauneuf-du-Pape, as well as several non-appellation blends.

The Rhône Valley in southeast France follows the Rhône River for 125 miles and is home to some 170,000 vineyard acres. It is beloved by admirers of robust, fruit-filled, tannic red wines made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsualt. Though red wines predominate, the Rhône Valley also makes excellent fruity, full-bodied but dry white wines from Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Some of the justly famous wines from the Rhône Valley include Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côte-Rôtie, Hermitage, Condrieu, Gigondas and Cornas. Rosé wines are also produced. Vineyards have been cultivated in this area since at least 600 B.C., and by the 13th century the wines of the region were being served to the Pope, who during the 13th century resided in nearby Avignon rather than in Rome. The prestige associated with the reds preferred by the Pope led to the name Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or the “new home of the pope.” The region is generally divided into north and south when discussing wine types, and there are many appellations within the valley. Along with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne, Rhône wines are among France’s best known and most collected wines.