In 1966 the Lafond family purchased 3 ha. in Tavel and in the beginning they sold the production to the cooperative. Through the years their possessions has increased and today their vineyards covers 42 hectares: 25 ha. of Tavel, 10.5 hectares of Lirac and 6.5 hectares of Cotes du Rhone. Today Jacques Lafond run the domain helped by his daughter Géraldine.
The name "Corne Loup" is the name given to this part of the Tavel Village, where someone, back in the old days, used to blow the horn (corne) in order to warn everyone if there was any sight of a wolf (loup) coming into town. Domaine Corne Loup is located in Tavel, fairly close to Domaine de la Mordorée. As a matter of fact, Geraldine Saunier and Christophe and Fabrice Delorme are cousins.
Geraldine Saunier
Winery Production: 22,222 / 9L cases
Varietals Produced: White: Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, Clairette
Red: Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvedre
Winemaker: Geraldiner Saunier
They have a total of 42 hectares (103.74 acres) total producing in average 1,500 hectoliters (200,000 bottles). Here is the breakdown by wine:
Tavel: 25 hectares (61.75 acres) producting 1150 hectoliters (153,000 bottles)
Lirac Rouge: 10 hectares (24.7 acres) producing 2 different cuvees: 240 hectoliters of Lirac Rouge (32,000 bottles) and 20 hectoliters of Lirac Rouge Cuvee du Gouverneur (2,666 bottles)
Lirac Blanc: 0.5 hectare (1.23 acres) producing 21 hectoliters (2,800 bottles)
Cotes du Rhone Rouge: 5.5 hectares (13.58 acres) producing 70 hectoliters (9,333 bottles)
Cotes du Rhone Blanc: 1 hectare (2.47 acres) producing 10 hectoliters (1,333 bottles)
The entire Tavel AOC is 934 hectares in total with an average of 42 hl/ha for the appellation.
"A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, the 2015 Lirac is a medium to full-bodied beauty that already offers attractive drinking. Scents of garrigue and licorice brighten dark cherry and plum fruit, while the tannins are supple, turning silky on the finish. At the suggested retail price of $20, it's a solid value. - Joe Czerwinski"
"The 2015 Lirac showed beautifully. A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, from a mix of sandy and pebbly soils, brought up in tank, this fruited, classic Lirac has loads to love in its ripe plums, garrigue, and herbes de Provence aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied and fruit-forward, it’s ideal for drinking over the coming 4-6 years."
"Concentrated blackberry, plum and cherry aromas are reminiscent of a ruby Port on the nose of this intensely ripe red wine. It's rounded and rich on the palate with soft acidity and fine, firm tannins. Approachable now it should hold well through 2021. - ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA"
"Also good, the 2011 Lirac is a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. It reveals soft, fruity, strawberry and black cherry notes intermixed with hints of underbrush, tobacco leaf, licorice, pepper and baking spices. Medium-bodied, lush, delicious and evolved, it should be consumed over the next 1-2 years. - Robert Parker"
