Cazes Rivesaltes 1935

94 points CellarTracker.com community score.

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 21, 1935, moved to age in a foudre on March 25, 1936, bottled on January 6, 2012. 595 bottles produced. 17,5% alcohol. 100% Grenache Blanc. Aged for almost 8 decades in its original vat. This Rivesaltes has an elegant fresh nose with rancio notes. This is an intense and very aromatic wine, well-balanced with elegant fruit, acidity and finesse in the mouth.