This intense, ruby-colored wine is from the extreme south of France, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean and the vines grown on steep, schistous terraces. Rimage is a Catalan word which means vintage. Therefore a Rimage Banyuls is a fortified wine in which all grapes come from a certain vintage, much like a Colheita or vintage Port. Made entirely from Grenache Noir.
The vineyards produce very low yields (hl/ha) in this schisteous soil and warm climate of Southern France. Grapes are destemmed and fermented in stainless steel vats. The fermentation is stopped by adding alcohol; a long maceration of 20 days follows, extracting fruity aromas classic of early bottles Banyuls. The wines are aged for 6 months in oak barrels that are regularly topped up.
Complex aromas of fresh red fruits (cherry and strawberry) with fresh fig notes and a touch of soft vanilla. Greedy and harmonious on both sweetness and unctuosity. Slightly liquoriced finish.
