Domaine Lafage Cuvée Nicolas Grenache (Côtes Catalanes, FR) '21

Crafted from 65-year-old Grenache vines grown on schist and granite soils at the foot of the Pyrenees, this sustainably farmed red offers intense concentration with elegance. Aged 8 months on lees in French oak demi-muids, it shows ripe red and black fruit—raspberry, cassis, blueberry—balanced by soft tannins and a silky, long finish. Hints of garrigue, licorice, and crushed stone add depth. Named after the winemaker’s son, this cuvée blends parcels from the Asprès and Maury valleys. A bold yet refined wine, it’s ideal with lamb, beef tartare, or pot-au-feu. 91 pts Wine Advocate & James Suckling.