Domaine Lafond Chateauneuf du Pape Rhone Wine, Complete Guide

Learn everything about Domaine Lafond Chateauneuf du Pape with wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, a history of the property, information on the vineyards and winemaking. If you want to read about other important wineries and wine makers from the Rhone valley: Links to all Rhone Valley Wine Producer Profiles

The Lafond family has a long history in the Southern Rhone Valley that dates all the way back to 1780. Af first, the Lafond family settled in Tavel, before making the move to Chateauneuf du Pape. Jumping ahead a few centuries, the Lafond family created Domaine Lafond in Roc-Epine in 1970. The name Roc-Epine found its inspiration from a popular racehorse.

Domaine Lafond Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

The Lafond family made their first Chateauneuf du Pape vineyard purchase in 2001, when they acquired .87 hectares of vines.

While they produce a variety of wines in Lirac and the Cotes du Rhone, as well as in Tavel, Domaine Lafond only produces one red Chateauneuf du Pape wine. The Grenache vines are old as they are over 60 years of age. Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine is certified as being 100% biodynamic in their vineyard management techniques.

Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine is made from 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah. The terroir is rocks, sand and limestone. The grapes come from the Etang, les Grandes Serres and les Pradel vineyards.

To produce the wine of Domaine Lafond, the grapes are 100% destemmed. The Grenache is aged in tank for 12 months. The Mourvedre and Syrah are aged in 100% new, French oak barrels for 12 months before blending and bottling. The production is tiny. Only 325 cases are produced each vintage.

When to Drink Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine, Anticipated Maturity, Decanting Time

Domaine Lafond can be enjoyed on the young side. Young vintages can be popped and poured, or decanted for about 1 hour, give or take. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine is usually better with 2-4 years of bottle age. Of course that can vary slightly, depending on the vintage. In the best vintages the wine should be consumed within 3-12 years after the vintage.

Serving Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine with Wine, Food Pairing Tips

Domaine Lafond is best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift.

Domaine Lafond is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, roasted, braised, stewed dishes, sausage, barbecue, grilled meats and cassoulet. Domaine Lafond is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, mushrooms, cheese, pasta, eggplant and tomatoes.

The white wine of Domaine Lafond is best served with a myriad of different seafood dishes, shellfish, crab, lobster, sushi, sashimi, chicken, pork and veal, as well as Asian cuisine.

Domaine Lafond also owns vines in Lirac, Tavel and in the Cotes du Rhone appellation.

www.roc-epine.com