Banyuls, L'Archiviste/Domaines et Terroirs du Sud 1965

There was also a 1965 Banyuls from L’Archiviste, Philippe Gayral’s venture that I have followed for a decade now. This bottling from September last year has a tertiary nose with a pungent fennel scent and a judicious touch of oxidation. The palate is fresh and vibrant, with candied red fruit intermixed with licorice and cassis, leading to a more marine-like finish.

Tasting Note : "A bright, medium tawny brown colour with viscous texture. Smoky and roasted on the nose with concentrated cinnamon and vanilla. Spicy, Rhone-like Grenache characteristics. Rich, sweet and viscous on the palate with generous warmth in alcohol. Attractive, raisiny fruit character, combined with sweet caramel. Some refreshing crisp acidity lending balance and structure. A delicious sweet and lingering finish."
Background Information
"Banyuls is produced from vertiginous, terraced vineyards above the Mediterranean at the Southern limit of Roussillon, and indeed mainland France. Grenache Noir dominates the blend; the grapes yield poorly and are often part shrivelled before being picked in early October. Production methods are similar to those of Port and Madeira (the must is fortified by the addition of Brandy) and the wine is aged for many years in foudres (large wooden barrels as used in Chateauneuf du Pape) before bottling." Jancis Robinson's Oxford Companion to Wine. Like other noble fortified wines, Banyuls develop great complexity with age and are virtually indestructible - we have tasted bottles back to the 1920s that have shown no sign of losing their richness. Once opened there is no need to drink a whole bottle in one sitting as it will keep well for several days in a decanter.

100% Grenache Noir on schist from private cellar that’s well known.
Complex and layered with a dry finish. Closer to table wine than the Rivesaltes just tasted. Hint of cough medicine. (JR)

Bright garnet in colour. Deep and complex with pithy grip, this blends leathery savoury notes with silky cherry fruit and a hint of espresso. There are hints of old wood and varnish, together with amaro qualities - this is a bittersweet wine and very complex for it. There is a light bite and pith of structure too, moderating the sweetness and giving a sense of balance. The finish shows roasted fig, cocoa and pressed flowers in its higher tones. Long, unfurling in the glass with air to become increasingly spicy.