2005 Domaine Lafag El Maset

[Drew]

2005 Domaine Lafag El Maset
Cotes du Roussillon, France

A little history and I believe my first Cotes du Roussillon.

"Ruled for centuries by, first, the kingdom of Majorca, and then Aragon, Roussillon, just
over the Pyrenees from Spain, is perhaps only
French geographically. The inhabitants view
themselves as Catalan, and in addition to the
climate (France’s sunniest), the dominant grape varieties, as well as subsequent wines have more in common with those of Spain than the rest of France. This wine, imported by Eric Solomon (whose wife Daphne Glorian makes Priorat’s Clos Erasmus) shows that same telltale combination of modern and traditional that makes Catalan wine so thrilling. Produced by wunderkind Jean-Marc Lafage (who also makes Las Rocas with Eric Solomon), lush and ripe, dominated by unruly Carignan and Mourvedre, tamed by Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet, El Maset seriously over-performs at its price tag."

Drank several of these over the past week and what a QPR! Rustic styled with flavors of crushed blackberry and dark berries intermixed with red berry flavors. Leans more toward a Spanish styled wine. Earthy and herb nuances contribute to complexity and the nose is floral with crushed berry, lavender and herb scents. Medium bodied and better the next day I bought a case. Under $10 by the box. 14%Alc/vol.

Drew