Rivesaltes, La Cuvée des Aigles 1965

The 1965 La Cuvée des Aigles, a blend of white, grey and black Grenache, has a sense of energy on the nose that is captivating. You get the mandarin, marmalade and quince scents mingling with Moroccan spice, sandalwood and sage. The palate is well-balanced with a citrus-fresh entry, beautifully balanced with perfectly judged acidity, marmalade, quince and ginger entwined harmoniously on the finish. This is an outstanding Rivesaltes from Philippe Gayral - a blessing for anyone that was born it what was otherwise a wretched vintages almost everywhere else. Drink: 2016 - 2030

A pale tawny/mahogany colour. There is a nose of lightly roasted nuts, dried orange peel, and salted preserved lemons. The palate has an excellent nutty intensity and crisp acidity making it reminiscent of lighter Madeira in style. There is a balance between dried blood orange, grapefruit peel and almond, refreshing acidity, and a line of salinity that leaves a slightly drier perception on the finish than the 1975. There is real focus in the flavour profile that has piercing length on a lightly spicy finish.

70% grenache noir, 15% grenache blanc, 15% grenache gris

Pale orange. Simple and round and fruity. Lots of freshness. Rather different from the rest. Perhaps a suitable introduction to the style.
Drink 2015-2019

Varnish and black treacle. Oil and tar – very elemental and earthy. Superb depth and breadth and height and every other dimension – time included. A wine to drink with hedonistic abandon, rather than write about and pick apart.

40% white grapes, aged tawny, orange peel, terrific energy and grip, superb.