Rivesaltes, Prieure du Monastir del Camp 1968

The 1968 Rivesaltes has a lovely bouquet with marmalade, peat, toffee, dried prune and pain d’épices. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, more cohesion than the 1959 with touches of espresso, red fruit, walnut and smoke, a little lighter on the finish than expected but with a persistent finish. Tasted with Philippe Gayral. 2018 - 2030

50% Grenache Noir and 50% white grapes: Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc, Maccabeu, Tourbat. This estate stopped making wine 25 years ago.Dark blackish tawny. Orange rim. Rancio and treacle. Just a little dry on the end but a lot of power. And refreshment. 17.5%

Lots of piquant spice and cocoa on the nose with fig and prune fruit. Concentrated and thick on the palate. Some red apple flavour coming through on the finish. Positively sprightly.