Rivesaltes, Prieure du Monastir del Camp 1959

The Rivesaltes 1959 has a sensual bouquet with stewed fig, mint and espresso scents that open with aeration. It is well-defined with hints of melted chocolate developing. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, plenty of fig and smoke notes at the beginning with fine delineation toward the long finish. There is lushness and corpulence to this sublime Rivesaltes. Drink now-2025+

Bright, dark-brownish red. Quite concentrated. Excellent polish. Rather smooth. Sweet and fresh – a bit claret-like in build. Lots of fine tannins. Liquorice. Dry end; not sweet. Mountain stuff.Drink 2014-2022

A touch of mint and chocolate on the nose, and heady smoke notes too. Fine tannic feel. Much more youthful than the vintage suggests. Heavyweight and serious. Spiced finish.

One of the most extraordinary tastings recently has been of 19 Rivesaltes Vin Doux Naturels from 2000 to 1933. These naturally sweet fortified wines from 16% to 17.5% abv, were unearthed by Montpellier based oenologue Philippe Gayral. They are still in cask, to be bottled under his brand L'Archiviste. In 1950, 60 million litres of Rivesaltes VDN were drunk in France; today just 1 million. Soon they will cease to exist. One or two bottles are a must for every cellar.