IGP Cotes Catalanes, Roussillon, France
The Rancio wines of Roussillon are some of the most distinctive and rare wines in the world. These fully oxidized wines are still today made in farmhouse garages throughout French Catalonia. Rancio production is deceptively simple. Base wines are put into large glass jars and left to 'bake' in the back yard for a year, where the wine oxidizes and the flavors concentrate. The wine is then transferred to old barrels, usually of mixed vintage, and the wine is only bottled on demand. The result of this heavy handed treatment is a sturdy, dry wine with intense dried fruit peel, almond, and oxidative notes.
This bottling by Arnaud de Villeneuve contains a very small amount of the Catalan sweet wine Rivesaltes, adding an intense, musky, honeyed element to the baseline citrus peel, pipe tobacco, and almond flavors. Fantastic for smoky charcuterie or a cheese plate before dinner.
Special full case discount! Buy 12 bottles of this item and receive an additional 5% off.