Novellum Chardonnay 2024

Honeysuckle, Golden Delicious Apple, White Peach, Brioche

The Novellum Chardonnay is a side project of Jean-Marc and Elaine Lafage, who also produce many of our French reds. The Lafage family farm 160 hectares in the Roussillon region of France, overlooking the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrenees. For a number of years, the fruit used in this wine was destined for co-operative wineries in the Languedoc. Since the Lafage family switched over to estate bottling, however, the wine has become more mineral-driven and complex while retaining its value and accessibility. Jean-Marc and Elaine grow their Chardonnay within view of the Mediterranean Sea, whose cooling breezes protect the vines from extreme heat. All fruit is certified sustainable and hand harvested.

In the winery, the Chardonnay grapes are fermented in stainless steel. Only about 5% of the wine goes through malolactic conversion, as the family want to preserve the wine’s fresh citrus and minerality. To add weight and texture, Jean-Marc blends in the fine lees from the family’s Viognier, stirring frequently. Roughly 20% of the wine is matured in used French barriques before blending, filtration, and bottling. - J.P.