1965 Rivesaltes
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Tasting notes
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. (RH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Two barrels. Majority Grenache Noir but it has 40% white grapes. Pale orange. Simple and round and fruity. Lots of freshness. Rather different from the rest. Perhaps a suitable introduction to the style. (JR)
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.