97 points CellarTracker.com community score.
96 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$600 list] The white grape-based Cazes 1933 Rivesaltes smells gorgeously of creme brulee infused with iris, violet and orange blossom; then comes to the palate at once creamy, texturally caressing and expansive, yet also gushing with juicy and zesty evocations of grapefruit and blood orange that took me by delighted surprise. Toasted nuts and haunting, smoke-tinged liquid floral essences help balance and compliment the sweetness in a profound, protracted, and impeccably balanced finish. (Jan 2014)"
Domaine Cazes, founded in 1895, is one of the oldest and most famous producers of Rivesaltes wines from the eponymously named Rivesaltes AOC in Roussillon. Rivesaltes, officially a "vin doux naturel," is in fact a fortified dessert wine that can be made from any combination of Grenache Blanc, Noir, and Gris, Macabéo, and to a much lesser extent Torbato (here called Malvoisie du Roussillon), as well as Muscat. Rivesaltes may taste of raisins, coffee, chocolate, fruits, or nuts and the most concentrated can, like Banyuls, be some of the few wines that happily partner with chocolate. John Gilman writes that "Domaine Cazes is one of the greatest producers of sweet wines that I have ever had the pleasure to come across...these are utterly distinct and unique wines of brilliant complexity and character, and though they may not be as well known in the wine world at large as their superb quality deserves, they are truly some of the wine world's greatest treasures."
This selection comes directly from the domaine in June 2021. Fortified on August 25, 1933, moved to age in a foudre on March 27, 1934, bottled on January 6, 2012. 589 bottles produced. 17,5% alcohol. 100% Grenache Blanc. Aged for almost 8 decades in its original vat. This Rivesaltes has a nose of rancio with notes of spices. This is a complex and elegant wine, rich, suave, powerful and long in the mouth, with beautiful notes of honey and orange zest.
Product SKU | 339645 |
Producer | Cazes |
Country | France |
Region | Languedoc-Roussillon |
SubRegion | Banyuls/Rivesaltes |
Varietal | Other White Blends |
Vintage | 1933 |
Size | 750ml |
Color | Other |
Blend | Grenache Blanc |
ABV | 17.5% |
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