Rivesaltes, Château Mossé 1931

The 1931 Rivesaltes from Chateau Mosse is a blend of 70% Grenache with the addition of Grenache Gris and Macabeu and it comes from a 250-litre barrel. It has a lovely oxidative nose with dried honey, smoked walnut, rhubarb, fresh ginger and chlorine. It is not quite as clean as I was expecting. The palate is medium-bodied with a potent, oxidative entry - very nutty and sherry-like, but showing good tension on the finish. Yet it was possibly kept in a foudre for too long. Tasted December 2012.

70% Grenache Noir and some Grenache Gris with Maccabeu. The only domaine that still exists, and still makes good Rivesaltes. Very pale coppery tawny. A bit old - old wood on the nose. Sweet and simple. Not the complexity of a madeira but similar style.