Rivesaltes, Château Mossé 1935

Chateau Mosse was sold last year, the last vintage produced being the 2013, although Philippe Gayral mentioned that there are still a few wines that he might still be able to purchase. Then they'll be no more. The 1935 Rivesaltes has a lucid amber color. The nose is resinous with beeswax, smoked walnut and raisin - much more Madeira-like in style for a Rivesaltes compared to the younger vintages from Sesqueille. The palate is well balanced, smooth and harmonious: nutmeg, walnut, red peppercorns and raisin with a very understated and yet intense finish. It is almost easy to miss the charms of this nigh 80-year old Rivesaltes: nuanced and effortless like a vintage Bentley.

Light coppery orange.Harmonious, faintly orangey, but basically smell of age again -- harmonious, dust, gentle, graceful, soft dried fruits and skins.Deep, vivid, round, glowing, powerful, complex. Outstanding here --- again Verdelho balance, but real fumositee here; lovely flavours of dried fruits, with acidity almost of fresh fruit and with lovely rancio for complexity and fumositee. This is really good.

Fine orange/amber colour, beautiful rancio nose with wild roses and great purity, slightly burnt fruit on the palate, sweet and so young, so natural, no impression of concentration, wonderful balance and length.