Banyuls Grand Cru 2011, L'Etoile
Banyuls Grand Cru 2011, L'Etoile
Price: 85,00€
DESCRIPTION
History
Since 1921, the Cave de l’Étoile, the oldest cooperative in Banyuls, has preserved a unique savoir-faire dedicated to the great naturally sweet wines. Nestled on the steep schist slopes overlooking the Mediterranean, it presents with this 2011 vintage a Grand Cru both powerful and elegant, true to the identity of this heroic vineyard.
Vinification
Harvested by hand, the grapes are destemmed and crushed before a long maceration of 15 to 20 days, designed to extract aromatic intensity and tannic structure. Fortification on the skins, with the addition of neutral wine spirit, preserves part of the natural sugars. After pressing, the wine undergoes aging in oak barrels (“pièces de chêne”) for at least 30 months—often longer—ensuring complexity and balance.
Tasting Notes
The nose is highly intense, offering black fruits in confit, cocoa, coffee, and prunes, evolving over time toward fig, walnut, and leather notes. On the palate, the texture is rich and velvety, sustained by a freshness that balances its power. The long, persistent finish makes it a true wine of meditation. It pairs beautifully with chocolate fondant, coffee-caramel entremets, duck with figs, or blue-veined cheese. A Banyuls Grand Cru with remarkable aging potential, capable of spanning decades.
REGION
Roussillon
France
Between sea and mountain, the vines of Banyuls, an AOC since 1936, cling to schist slopes that plunge down to the Mediterranean. This spectacular setting, bathed in sun and wind, shapes generous, intense vins doux naturels. The appellation mainly produces reds from Grenache Noir, completed by Grenache Gris and Blanc, as well as amber, tawny and rosé versions.
Banyuls comes in several styles. Banyuls Rimage, made and aged away from air, shows all the freshness of the fruit, with aromas of cherry, blackberry or blackcurrant, sometimes with a touch of chocolate. Approachable young, it shines with dark chocolate, fruit desserts and some blue cheeses. By contrast, Banyuls Traditionnel and Grand Cru go through long oxidative ageing in cask or glass demijohn, developing complex notes of walnut, coffee, spice and rancio. The Grands Crus, from old vines and aged for at least 30 months, stand out for their depth and great ageing potential.
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This oak-barrel aging beautifully highlights the fruit and balance of this 2011 - a Grand Cru that combines power and finesse with 14 years of maturation.