The winery and importer need to move forward to a new vintage... ridiculous pricing for a wine of this caliber... 

Lafage Centenaire 2019

Sale $14.89 - Beats Best US Price Online!!!

93 pts Jeb Dunnuck 

Named “Centenaire” after the 100+ year old vines from which this wine is made. Yep… 100 years old! Wowsa! 80% Grenache Blanc and Gris with 20% Roussanne.

Robert Parker remarked, of the similarly rated 2011, "could easily be mistaken as a serious white Hermitage from the northern Rhone." 92 pt Hermitage Blanc? That'll set you back $80+! 

I love the sneaky lusciousness of this wine. "Sneaky" because you just don't expect it... the initial aromas are flush with lime zest and mint, and the vibrant acidity wakes up your senses. But then... hmmm... boy this baby lingers... and there is a sense of richness that coats the palate... sneaky... and delicious!

Notes of honeysuckle, acacia flowers, wet stones and citrus give way to a fascinating blend of minerality and richness. Power and elegance. Plan on two bottles for dinner… one to drink on the porch and the other to serve with dinner. Fish? Chicken? Pork? Mixed veggie dish? Pasta? It isn't fair how many things this wine pairs with! The winery, for their part, suggests, "Savory duck breast, Fried mussels, Veal blanquette, Salmon with sorrel, Dauphinois gratin, Tartiflette, Endive au gratin with ham, Rabbit with mustard, Ratatouille, Paella, Confit of duck, sauerkraut, buckwheat cakes, Filet mignon, Tagliatelle à la carbonara, Chicken with curry, Tagine of lamb, Sushi, Cod brandade, Bouillabaisse, Shell / ham."

"Based on 60% Grenache Blanc and 20% each Grenache Gris and Roussanne, from very old vines, the 2019 Côtes Catalanes Cuvée Centenaire is another thrilling white from Jean-Marc Lafage. Caramelized grapefruit, crushed citrus, mint, white flowers, and lots of salty minerality emerge from this medium-bodied white that has both richness and freshness. This cuvée can evolve (it has good acidity as well as concentration) yet I see no need to delay gratification and would enjoy bottles over the coming year or three." JD


Or reply. Available Turesday in Chapel Hill. Wednesday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.