Domaine La Tour Vieille - Banyuls Reserva

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

Like an aged port. With well-developed aromas, it maintains a skillful and well-balanced profile.

About the estate:

Divided into a dozen plots covering an equal number of hectares, this estate’s spectacular vineyard is primarily planted on steep clay and schist slopes overlooking the Mediterranean. It is an estate with a long tradition, but one that seems to have lost its momentum in recent vintages.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Imagine, on the slopes overlooking the Mediterranean, a small terrace next to the winery, where demijohns sit out in the open, exposed to the elements. Part of the future Reserva awaits you. Admittedly, this is only a small percentage of the blend that will complement the wine aged for six years in barrels, but it is “the” original touch. Deep in color with mahogany undertones, this Banyuls, with its aromas of jammy fruit, cocoa, and spices, reveals itself to be elegant thanks to its refreshing acidity and refined tannins.

About the estate:

Founded in 1982, this 13-hectare estate brings together the vineyards of Vincent Cantié (in Collioure) and Christine Campadieu (in Banyuls), both of whom come from long-established winemaking families. The estate overlooks the sea from the hills above Collioure. It produces consistently high-quality wines, both natural sweet wines and dry wines.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

A superb Banyuls made from 90% Grenache and 10% Carignan, the NV Banyuls Reserva (part of the blend of which was vinified outside the cellar, i.e., in the sun), ruby in color, offers abundant notes of dried figs and plums, almonds, bitter orange, chocolate, and sweet spices, all accompanied by a medium-bodied, round, supple, and complex palate. This fine wine has plenty of character, is perfectly balanced, and will age well for 5 to 8 years.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

More maritime and charming with its subtle rancio notes, Reserva is refined and rich, with a cocoa-driven palate underscored by subtle spices.

About the estate:

Vincent Cantié is fully committed to the demanding art of winemaking on the Côte Vermeille. He strives to capture, in both dry and fortified wines, the character of the grapes—primarily Black Grenache—grown on clay and schist soils. The dry wines are now remarkably consistent, and the Banyuls are always excellent.