2014 Tessellae VV

A stunning bargain from Lafage is the 2014 Tessellae Old Vines, a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, all aged in concrete. Much of it comes from 70-year-old vines planted in limestone and clay soils. A delicious, dense ruby wine with notes of red and black cherries, earth, spice, pepper and a touch of Provençal garrigue. Fresh vibrant acidity is also present, and the wine is uncomplicated, but rich, fleshy and very well balanced. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.

A crazy value, the 2014 IGP Cotes Catalanes Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes is one of the best examples of this variety from the Roussillon, and the fact that it sells for a song is just icing on the cake for the consumer. Coming all from schist soils and 70-year-old vines, raised 12 months in a mix of concrete tanks and demi-muids, it offers tons of black raspberry and black cherry fruit, licorice and dried spices to go with a super sexy, heady, seamless style on the palate that keeps you coming back to the glass. Drink this blockbuster over the coming 2-3 years. I’ve raved time and time again about the quality - and value - coming from Domaine Lafage’s Jean-Marc Lafage. A large estate that pulls from vines in the Agly Valley, the Aspres region, and vines around the estate and close the Mediterranean Sea, they’ve just completed work on a new, state of the art winery and cellar. I can only imagine the quality will continue to soar at this estate. Apr 2016, www.erobertparker.com, Drink: 2016-2019