Domaine Lafage ‘Nicolas’ Grenache Côtes Catalanes 2023 Case

Stunning old vine Grenache, made in a modern, more perfumed way. Still with some power but fresh and quite elegant.

Named after Jean-Marc’s and Eliane’s son, this wine is produced from a selection from vineyards in the Têt Valley and from higher-altitude plots near Les Aspres and Maury on marble-schist soils surrounded by garrigue. Average age of the vines is 65 years old yielding a low 19 hl/ha. A green harvest in done in early Summer to gain concentration in the grapes which are picked by hand in 20 kg. boxes. Cold maceration prior to alcoholic fermentation for 7 days followed by fermentation with plunging down of the cap in open fermenters over a period of 22 days. 30% of the wine is then drained to demi-muids barrels with the rest in concrete tanks for ageing on lees for 9 months. Ripe wine, loaded with red and black cherry fruit and hints of cocoa notes, lively, rich, and velvety in texture with lovely freshness.