2024 Novellum, Domaine Lafage

This is Chardonnay with sunshine in its pockets and just enough Mediterranean breeze to keep it sharp. From Domaine Lafage in Roussillon, Novellum opens with white peach, ripe pear, lemon, apricot and melon, followed by crushed stone, soft spice and a gentle brioche richness. It feels generous without being heavy, polished without being overworked.

The palate is medium to full-bodied, creamy and layered, with ripe orchard fruit, citrus lift and a mineral line running through the middle. A touch of barrel gives roundness and texture, while ageing on Viognier lees adds an extra aromatic glow and a lovely silky depth. It finishes clean, balanced and quietly luxurious, making it one of those rare Chardonnays that feels both indulgent and brilliantly easy to drink.

For when you want Chardonnay with comfort, class and a little southern French sunshine.
Pairs with roast chicken, creamy mushroom pasta, crab linguine, scallops, pork belly, cauliflower cheese, or Comté.
If this wine were… a room, it would be golden hour through linen curtains, with music playing somewhere in the background.

Domaine Lafage is one of the great modern names of Roussillon, run by Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage between Perpignan and the Spanish border. The family’s winemaking history stretches back to 1798, but the estate’s recent reputation is built on freshness, precision and a deep understanding of the region’s dry, windy, Mediterranean landscape. Novellum shows that skill beautifully: 100% Chardonnay from the Côtes Catalanes, fermented partly in one-year-old Burgundy barrels and partly in stainless steel, with the tank portion aged on Viognier lees for texture, fragrance and depth.