Domaine de Rancy - Rivesaltes Vin Doux Naturel 'Ambré' 4 ans d’Age NV (750ml)
Price: $36.99
| Producer | Domaine de Rancy |
| Country | France |
| Region | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Varietal | Grenache, Macabeu, Malvoisie du Roussillon, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, M |
| Sku | 207727 |
| Size | 750ml |
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Domaine de Rancy Description
Jean-Hubert inherited this estate from his father with all of its tiny parcels of old vines and its cellars filled with old, odd sized barrels. Descending into the cellar one gets the feeling of entering a medieval alchemist’s laboratory. Each barrel, some as small as 12 inches in diameter, is labeled with a cryptic numerical code, that keeps hidden from outsiders which nectar each barrel contains. Attached to their cuverie is a rare curiosity for visitors, a “Jardin de Bonbonnes” (literally an outdoor garden of glass demijohns where wine used to be stored to oxidize in the sun.)
Long ago Jean-Hubert’s father made the decision to sell all of the red grapes and white wine not used for their rancio style wines, to the local co-operative. This way he could devote all of his energy to the wines he found most interesting. From a long term economic standpoint this was not the best decision because these wines, that were once overproduced, fell out of favor during the decades following World War II. Today they are one of only a handful of quality wineries still producing this type of wine. Domaine Rancy has somehow been lucky enough to outlive the trend away from these wines and is now beginning to find itself in the spotlight. Down the street from their old, museum-like, cellar the Verdaguers have a modern winery with state of the art equipment. Now, after many years of hard work, they have established a very small cult following. They only attend a few salons per year and have made it a policy to do as little as possible to promote their wines, relying only on word of mouth.
Rivesaltes is a historical home for naturally sweet, fortified wines (vin doux naturel or VDN). The name refers to both a production region within Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France, and the style of sweet wines produced there.
Tasting Note: Rivesaltes Ambré - 4 ans d’age Light amber in color, sweet but not cloying. Dried fruit flavors of figs and dates give way to walnut and almond. Long, nutty finish.
How to Serve: This versatile wine is best served at room temperature to fully appreciate the intense, complex aromas that develop in the glass. It can be served as an aperitif with nuts, olives, and a variety of hors d’oeuvres. As a desert wine it goes very well with bread pudding, dates, figs, spice cake, pumpkin pie, or on its own as an after dinner drink. It is truly a delightful experience that captures the warmth and spice of the South of France.
Wine Advocate: 91 Points
A forward, supple, beautifully textured Rivesaltes, the NV Rivesaltes Ambré 4 Ans d’Age has classic cigar wrapper, sweet toffee, dried spice and candied orange peel aromas giving way to a medium-bodied, seamless, supple and sexy profile on the palate. It has lots of sweetness, yet it’s never cloying or heavy, and is hard to resist taking another sip. This is a beautiful Rivesaltes that’s incredibly flexible with food, from sipping with almonds to start a meal, pairing with any number of fruit tarts, or just sipping on its own, you can’t go wrong here.
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