1959 Rivesaltes

From a very old priory founded by Charlemagne in foothills of Pyrenees. Near the border and Le Boulou. The proprietor wasn’t very involved with wine. This historic monument, much visited, stopped producing wine in the late 1980s. Old wines were kept in the crypt and sold at €2 a glass to visitors. Oxidised for only two years. Bottled 2013. Nearly 100% Grenache Noir. Bright, dark-brownish red. Quite concentrated. Excellent polish. Rather smooth. Sweet and fresh – a bit claret-like in build. Lots of fine tannins. Liquorice. Dry end; not sweet. Mountain stuff. (JR)

The Rivesaltes 1959 has a sensual bouquet with stewed fig, mint and espresso scents that open with aeration. It is well-defined with hints of melted chocolate developing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, plenty of fig and smoke notes at the beginning with fine delineation toward the long finish. There is lushness and corpulence to this sublime Rivesaltes. Drink now-2025+

Deep rose red. Not quite as clean on the nose as some – old rose petals and orange peel. Medium intensity. Rich and comfortable with a hint of peppermint. Not that sweet. (JR)