Author: Dirk Chan
Our special this week is the 2020 Domaine Lafage Novellum Chardonnay (Cotes Catalanes, France) – $19.99 (regularly $24.49)
Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage, owners of Domaine Lafage have some Chardonnay planted near the Mediterranean that makes a remarkably complex and mineral version of the variety. A small percentage is aged in barrel – usually less than 30%. The remainder of the wine is aged in tank on the lees of Viognier. It remains one of the better values in French Chardonnay outside of Burgundy that you can find.
The vineyards for our feature wine is 30 years old vines, grown under organic practices. The winemaking presses the grapes gently before the cold maceration, and fermented in stainless steel tanks. 70% of the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks, then the rest spent two months on Viognier lees in oak barrels.
Offering an enticing nose of white peaches, crushed rocks, spice and brioche emerging from this medium to full-bodied Chardonnay that has depth, layered texture and length. Try with some scampi.
2020 Domaine Lafage Novellum Chardonnay (Cotes Catalanes, France) – $19.99, regularly $24.49