Christian Reynal, La Cave de L'Abbe Rous, Banyuls, Grand Cru Cuvée, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, 2000

Overview of the Wine
The Banyuls vineyard is located in the extreme south of France at the meeting point between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. The vines are planted there in terraces on schist slopes, from the seaside to the bottom of the valleys of the hinterland. For this cuvée, we select old vines, very sunny, exposed east / south-east, on lean, eroded and infertile schist soils.

Grape/ Blend
100% Grenache 

Origin
Banyuls, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
This cuvée is made only with the best vintages. The grapes are selected from the best plots, which produce 20hl/ha in schistous soil and warm climate of Southern France. The fermentation is stopped by adding alcohol, and follows a long maceration of 20 days, the wines are racked in small oak barrels for 8 years, without regular top-up. This oxidation process during the aging creates aromas of traditional Banyuls. The wine is then bottled and aged for few more years in the cool cellars of Cave de l'Abbé Rous. Rich and full bodied, the aromas present in the bouquet follow through to the palate. The elegant final reveals hints of tobacco leaf aroma. Gingerbread on the opening., it evolves toward coffee perfume, créme brulée and old spirit flavours. A touch of undergrowth and humus.

This is the official wine to pair with CHOCOLATE!  One of the official "Best Dessert Wines in the World."

93 Points - Falstaff
Dark mahogany, reflections of orange. Dried fruit notes underlaid with a hint of smoked bacon, nuances of chocolate, smoky-tobacco spiciness, a fine note of sherry. Juicy, sweet, silky texture, present, well-integrated tannins, orange touch, dark nougat in the finish, sticks well, ideal for use with chocolate desserts.

Product size: 750ml