Cazes Rivesaltes 1940

95 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "Even better than the 1950—and remarkably so for being produced during WWII—the 1940 Rivesaltes is a touch paler in hue, but it also boasts ruby flecks to its amber coloration. Cleaner on the nose, this is vibrant and alive, leaner and more citrusy, but still honeyed and moderately sweet, with notes of maple syrup, black walnuts and candied citrus. It's medium to full-bodied but seems fresh and lively. In fact, it's probably in better shape than many of the octogenarians this will be used to fete. Drink: 2020-2030. (Jun 2020)"

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. It was aged for over 7 decades in its original vat. Alcohol 16.5%. This Rivesaltes has hints of cocoa and spices on the nose, delicate prune and bitter chocolate flavors, and smooth tannins on an elegant finish.