Much to our pleasant unsurprise, Decanter magazine has awarded 90 beautifully ripened points and an honourable mention to our sumptuous 2019 Tessellae Vieilles Vignes Carignan in a recent panel tasting that featured 122 reds from the Roussillon.
Fresh, expressive, juicy red, peppery fruit, a-glow with Mediterranean warmth and character and for well under £15, Tessellae Vieilles Vignes Carignan sums up with each vintage all the joyous authenticity, vibrancy and value offered by modern, regional winemaking in this sun-drenched corner of southwest France. It really is one of those just buy it wines.
Critics' reviews
"I struggle to think of another portfolio that encompasses anywhere close to this level of value, and the average quality to price for these wines is just hard to believe."
Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate
“Intriguing scents of leafy red fruits with peppery raspberries.Plush and voluptuous on the palate with a soft acidity.”Andy Howard MW, Decanter
Tasting note
This 100% carignan has such intensity and character when made with fruit from old vines, which are over 60 years old. Expressive black fruits - cherries and blackberries - with a bright red fruits character, a wine with freshness, warmth and sheer drinkability.
Domaine Lafage is one of the Roussillon’s star estates, and Jean-Marc’s wines have been favourites of ours for some years.
An awardwinning family estate since 1798, Lafage is based in Perpignan, and makes a wide range of exceptionally crafted wines, from vineyards either side of the Pyrenees. His wines under the Tessellae label hail from the Côtes Catalanes region, and offer exceptional value – they are undoubtedly one of our most exciting recent finds.
Great value as always from Lafage. Red and black fruits underpinned by liquorice and pepper. Lovely medium to full bodied wine full of the warm south