Rivesaltes Ambré 1980, Arnaud de Villeneuve
DESCRIPTION
History
Born from the stony, clay-limestone terroirs of Roussillon, this 1980 Rivesaltes Ambré from the Arnaud de Villeneuve cellar embodies the heritage of great natural sweet wines. Patiently aged in tanks and then oak barrels, it now offers a rare and precious expression of a vintage that has crossed four decades before being bottled in 2020.
Vinification
Made from White Grenache and Macabeo, this wine is crafted in accordance with tradition: hand-harvested grapes, controlled fermentation, followed by mutage to preserve sugars and aromas. The long aging brings out subtle oxidative notes and great aromatic complexity, typical of old Rivesaltes Ambrés.
Tasting Notes
Its amber color with mahogany highlights precedes an elegant nose marked by walnut, caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, and coffee. On the palate, full-bodied and smooth, it combines freshness and richness, with aromas of blond tobacco, mild spices, and candied fruits, supported by noble rancio. The long, powerful finish makes it a great contemplative wine.
Perfect Pairings: walnut cake, chocolate dessert, or aged Cantal cheese.
Region
Roussillon
Le Rivesaltes est l’un des grands vins doux naturels du Roussillon. Issu principalement de Grenache, Macabeu et Malvoisie, il se décline en styles ambrés, tuilés, grenats ou rosés. Vieillis longuement, les vieux Rivesaltes révèlent des arômes uniques de fruits confits, de noix et de rancio, cette note oxydative recherchée par les amateurs. À leurs côtés, le Muscat de Rivesaltes qui dispose de son AOC propre depuis 1956, propose une autre facette tout en fraîcheur et en parfums de raisin, d’agrumes et de fleurs blanches. Ensemble, ils composent un patrimoine viticole rare, parfait pour les amateurs de vins de garde et de millésimes historiques.
Recommandé pour vous:
Forty years of aging have given birth to an absolute contemplative wine—this balance between noble rancio and surprising freshness fascinates me with every tasting.
Rivesaltes Ambré 1980 Arnaud de Villeneuve, aged 40 years – Vinodelice