History

Founded in 1921, the Cave de l’Étoile is the oldest cooperative in Banyuls, renowned for its age-worthy sweet wines. The 1998 vintage, awarded the Grand Gold Medal CERVIM 2023, showcases the estate’s mastery of Banyuls Grand Cru: patiently crafted wines shaped by time, combining power and elegance.

Vinification

Hand-harvested grapes from the steep schist slopes are destemmed and crushed before mutage on the skins. A long maceration of 15 to 20 days extracts full aromatic richness and tannic structure. After pressing, the wine undergoes prolonged oxidative aging in old oak vats, far exceeding the 30 months required by the appellation, developing depth and complexity.

Tasting Notes

The nose is intense and complex, revealing black candied fruits, cocoa, coffee, prunes, and spices, evolving over time toward fig, walnut, and leather. On the palate, it is rich and velvety, balanced by a bright freshness, finishing with a long and harmonious finale. This Banyuls Grand Cru pairs beautifully with dark chocolate desserts, coffee-caramel entremets, or dried fruit cakes. On the savory side, it complements duck with figs, game birds, or blue-veined cheeses. A masterful age-worthy wine, perfect for collectors and lovers of rare moments.