Domaine LaFage, Vine De Pays, Cotes Catalanes, 2004

~$10.00
This is a great summer sipper from the South of France in the Catalan region which is on the Spanish border in the Western Languedoc. The winemaker is Jean-Marc LaFage who is famous for making great blends from the traditional grapes of Southern France and Spain. He worked with Eric Solomon to bring us Las Rocas Garnacha from Spain, a great wine too. Lets dissect the label. Domain LaFage is the name of the winery and Cote Est at the top mean literally means eastern slopes. At the bottom you can see "Vin de Pays" often shortened to VdP, this is the designation for "table wine" however in the Languedoc-Roussillon region where this wine comes from, many great wines are coming out with this designation. By labeling there wine with VdP, winemakers can have a lot more freedom in winemaking and grape growing, rather than following strict rules traditionally followed by everyone in the region.

This wine is made up of 45% Grenache Blanc, 48% Grenache Gris, and 7% Macabeo. All of these varieties on there own, I have found in readings, do not make very exciting wines and all have there part in blends. Macabeo brings acidity and doesn't oxidize easily. Both Grenaches bring more fruit and weight to the wine.

This wine is fresh, clean, and very enjoyable even after its been open for a day or too. You will find a nose full of citrus, floral, and apricot/peach aromas with a well balanced and full palate. The finish is crisp and again, clean. It's a new summer favorite.
I give it a B+