Rivesaltes, Domaine La Sobilane 1953

The 1953 Rivesaltes has a burnished amber colour. The bouquet offers orange rind, meat juices and brown spices whilst the palate would benefit from greater viscosity. The acidity offers satisfying balance but it lacks the pyrotechnics of other vintages. Tasted with Philippe Gayral. 2018 - 2022

Blackish, greenish tawny. Very mature nose with the merest suggestion of oxidation and rancio. Very, very sweet and round. But tannins and over-concentration on the end.Drink 2017-2023

The 1953 Rivesaltes from Domaine La Sobilane had quite a deep brownish color, less lucid than some of its peers (although this is probably because it was a cask sample). The nose is quite backward for a Rivesaltes with brown spices, orange rind and a touch of cooked meat. The palate is well balanced with a slight viscosity, well-judged acidity and a tang of lemongrass toward the finish, though not quite delivering the intensity or extravagance that I look for. It's not bad, but it needs more depth. Drink 2017-2030.