Le Nain Violet is our domaine’s principal red wine sourced from our oldest Grenache vineyards. This richly flavoured and concentrated wine typically spends 15 months in barrel with just a small percentage of new oak.
2020
“The ambitious 2020 IGP Cotes Catalanes Le Nain Violet lives up to expectations. All Grenache matured in oak (only 5% new wood), it offers up complex aromas of violets, licorice, black tea and black cherries, while the palate is full-bodied, soft and expansive. It’s delicious, and complex, even elegant…” 93 points – Joe Czerwinski – The Wine Advocate (March 2023)
2017
“The all-Grenache 2017 Le Nain Violet comes from vines planted prior to 1950. Aged predominantly in older barrels (there’s only 10% new oak), it shows captivating floral and raspberry aromas alongside hints of dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied, rich and velvety yet infused with invigorating notes of garrigue and licorice on the long, plush finish. It should drink well for 6-7 years.” 91-94 points – Joe Czerwinski – The Wine Advocate (April 2018)
2016
“Silkier and more refined than some past vintages, the 2016 Côtes Catalanes Le Nain Violet offers terrific notes of ripe black fruits, chocolate, spice, and cured meats. It’s another medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant wine from Richard Case that has terrific tannin quality, no hard edges, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.” 94 points – Jeb Dunnuck (November 2018)
2016
“I was able to taste the 2016 IGP Cotes Catalanes Le Nain Violet from multiple barrels, and while 2016 was a more difficult vintage than 2015, you wouldn’t know it by tasting this cuvee. All of the samples have a deep and rich color, terrific aromatics, notable purity and a supple, sexy, full-bodied style that’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate.” 92-95 points – Jeb Dunnuck – The Wine Advocate (April 2017)
2015
“I was blown away by the 2015 IGP Cotes Catalanes Le Nain Violet and this Grenache dominated effort (mostly from vines planted prior to 1950) is a full-bodied, concentrate and layered 2015 that has terrific purity in its ripe, chocolaty fruits, crushed flowers, and menthol aromas and flavors. With an expansive texture, sweet tannin and a great finish, it’s going to drink nicely in its youth, yet keep for 7-8 years.” 92-94 points – Jeb Dunnuck – The Wine Advocate (April 2017)
2014
“The 2014 IGP Côtes Catalanes Le Nain Violets is another beautiful wine from winemaker Richard Case. Made from 100% Grenache that saw 10% new French oak, it has a big, sweet nose of cassis, licorice, spice and subtle barrique to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered, silky style on the palate. It has first-rate purity, ripe tannin structure and a great finish. From a difficult vintage, it’s a big success.” 92 points – Jeb Dunnuck – The Wine Advocate (April 2016)
2013
“Reminding me of a New World Grenache with its ripe raspberry, fruit cakes and incense nose, the 2013 IGP Côtes Catalanes Le Nain Violet has a lively, elegant texture, plenty of fruit and moderate tannin. Shining more for its purity and elegance rather than sheer power, it still packs plenty of fruit and is hard to resist. Enjoy bottles anytime over the coming 5-6 years.” 92 points- Jeb Dunnuck – The Wine Advocate (April 2016)
2012
“Richard’s 2012 Côtes Catalanes Le Nain Violet is a brilliant success in the vintage. Made all from Grenache (from miniscule yields of 10-12 hectoliters per hectare) and aged 18 months in 20% new 500-liter barrels, it offers gorgeous lavender, pepper and violets to go with a core of kirsch and sweet blackberry-like fruit. Full-bodied, layered and seamless, with polished tannin and a taut, energetic vibe, it can be consumed anytime over the coming 7-8 years, if not longer.” 92 points – Jeb Dunnuck – The Wine Advocate (April 2015)