My wine reviews are written from the point of view of a rank amateur with no formal training, based on a sample size of one bottle of unknown storage history. These notes are primarily for my own records and future reference and are published here for interest only.

Domaine du Joncier is a Rhône producer in the AOC of Lirac, actually in the village of Tavel, owned and operated by Marine Roussel since she took it over from her father in 1989. The Lirac Le Classique is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan. The label describes Lirac as a little-known gem of a region, opposite the (reknowned) Châteauneuf-du-Pape area.

I bought this bottle from Waitrose for about £7.50 — my most expensive purchase yet, choosing the 2007 due to that vintage’s excellent reputation in the southern Rhône. Due to the relationship between tax, duty, fixed shipping and packaging costs and the wine itself, it can be very beneficial to spend just a bit more than rock-bottom prices on wine.

The label promises “berry fruit and spice characters with a deep flavour and long complex finish”. I certainly got that, although I found it too complex for my liking. It did not taste at all unpleasant or artificial and was clearly a high-quality product; but it didn’t seem to have a clear message or signature taste. Maybe my palette isn’t highly trained enough yet, but I preferred the simpler Châsse Du Pape reviewed previously.

Quite strong at 14.5%, partly due to the Grenache content. Probably worth a punt if you’re after a classy, complex wine, as it’s clearly intended for drinking properly rather than as a casual beverage. I may try another bottle in the future once I’ve come by a bit more experience.