Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas

The Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas 2012 really caught my attention when I received an e-mail offering from The Wine Library. Not only was it fashioned by the same talented winemaker who produces the Novellum Chardonnay, but at only $13 it had scored a whopping 93 point score by Jeb Dunnuck of the Wine Advocate.

The Novellum Chardonnay is an excellent value, consistently over delivering for it’s modest price point at the hands of winemaker Jean Marc Lafage. He is also responsible for producing the wildly popular Las Rocas Garnacha for power-importer Eric Solomon.

Considering his track record and over 15 years of experience for a man only in his 30’s, I had to try this highly acclaimed wine. Then I learned that the Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas is actually named after Jean Marc and Eliane Lafage’s son, ‘Nicolas’. If you put your son’s name on the bottle, you’ve gotta put a little extra heart into it, right? Time to pop the cork!

Appearance: A vivid garnet hue

Nose: This is floral and aromatic with intense raspberry liquor and sandalwood.

On the palate: Medium to full bodied, this is full of juicy sweet fruit: strawberry, raspberry, kirsch liquor then leading to exotic spices and hints of smoke on the dry, polished finish. The acidity keeps this lively and balanced.

Varietal Composition: 100% Grenache

Vintage: 2012

Origin: Cotes du Roussilon, France

Value Rating:  5 / 5     

Price: $12.98 ($14 Retail)

Score:  91

Should you buy? Definitely – The Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas is a fantastic old-vine Grenache for the money.

Value Proposition – Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas

The Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas is an exceptional value and a great example demonstrating that French wine mustn’t always be expensive! This has a good amount of complexity with a very fine delivery for it’s modest price point. Apparently great things can happen when great winemakers put their son’s name on the label!