Why it matters
The producer
The vines of Domaine Haut-Lirou stretch across the Pic Saint-Loup appellation, with red wines based on Syrah and Grenache and a separate Viognier bottled under IGP Pays d'Oc. The estate is a family domaine in Le Triadou, with 170 hectares of vineyard. Mourvèdre enters the red range through L'Esprit.
Domaine Haut-Lirou forms part of Les Domaines Jean-Pierre Rambier. The estate has operated continuously under family management, with its wines covering both the red appellation style of Pic Saint-Loup and a white made from Viognier.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Le Triadou lies in the Hérault department above the river Lirou, about 30 kilometres from the Mediterranean. Domaine Haut-Lirou sits in the Pic Saint-Loup appellation, while its Viognier carries the IGP Pays d'Oc designation.
Pic Saint-Loup AOP is reserved for red and rosé wines. Viognier therefore appears under a different regional designation, keeping the white wine separate from the appellation's red and rosé category.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Haut-Lirou Classic Rouge spends 8 months in stainless steel. Stainless steel is a neutral vessel, so it does not add oak flavour during ageing and keeps the wine's fruit and grape character clear.
L'Esprit 2023 spends 12 months in French oak barrels, using new or one year old barrels, followed by 6 months in stainless steel. Oak allows gradual oxygen exchange and can add spice and roundness, while the later tank period gives the wine time to settle without further wood influence.
Wines to know
The range in view
The red range includes Pic Saint-Loup 2020, made from 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache at 14% alcohol. Haut-Lirou Classic Rouge is another Pic Saint-Loup red from Syrah and Grenache. L'Esprit 2023 moves to a three grape composition of 75% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 5% Mourvèdre.
Haut-Lirou Viognier is the white wine in the range, bottled under IGP Pays d'Oc. The bottles therefore divide into Pic Saint-Loup reds, an oak aged red line, and a Viognier with a separate appellation designation.
A useful way in
A bottle to begin with
Open with Haut-Lirou Classic Rouge. It is a Pic Saint-Loup red made from Syrah and Grenache, aged for 8 months in stainless steel. The neutral tank leaves oak out of the ageing profile, keeping the focus on the two grape varieties and the appellation. L'Esprit adds Mourvèdre and French oak, so Classic Rouge offers the simpler view of the estate's red cellar work.