Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine Tavel Rose 2016

The Domaine Lafond Rose is characterized by a lovely pure tender pink color. The predominating aromas are complex: red and white fruit associated with floral notes. With time, these fruity aromas will evolve toward more mellow notes with a touch of spice and stone fruits, and the color will take on amber tints. As of its first year, it disposes of all the necessary aromas to be appreciated, but it also has an exceptional ageing potential.

Pascal Lafond’s beautifully made wines from Tavel, Lirac and Chateauneuf-du-Pape are among the finest values the region has to offer. This 65-hectare family-run estate, located in the rose-only appellation of Tavel, produces what is widely considered (by Robert Parker, among others) to be the best Tavel available. Their Lirac Blanc – a blend of Grenache, Roussanne and Viognier – is a rich, vibrant Rhone white, with lovely honeyed and floral aromas. Their reds – including a Cotes-du-Rhone, a Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and two different Liracs – are impressively concentrated, meaty and pure Grenache-based wines that are nonetheless balanced and well-structured.