Cazes Rivesaltes 1956

93 points Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate): "I think even better than the 1946, the 1956 Rivesaltes Collection is 100% Grenache that spent 55 years in barrels before being bottled. It’s a full-bodied, fabulously complex Rivesaltes that has tons of spice, toffee, cardamom and brown sugar notes in a silky, seamless package that’s simply hard to resist. Subtle Rancio and cream notes come through with air, and this is one classy dessert wine to drink anytime over the coming decade or more. Drink: 2016-2026. (Apr 2016)"

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.