Cazes Rivesaltes 1959

93 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): "The 1959 Rivesaltes is made in the Tuilé style, from a mix of black- and white-skinned grapes. It offers up leafy tobacco-like notes, brown butter and maple syrup aromas. It's medium-bodied, not heavy at all, with a silky texture and a long finish tinged with orange zest. Drink: 2019-2030. (Apr 2019)"

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. 100% Grenache Noir. Aged for more than 5 decades in its original vat. This Rivesaltes has a lovely intense cocoa and plum nose. This is a powerful and complex wine, with a very nice freshness, and a suave and well balanced finish. Alcohol 16%.