2005 Domaine Cazes Muscat de Rivesaltes

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 84.8 points

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  12/27/2010 - Rob and Meg wrote: 82 Points

  Decant Time - 0
  The nose was full and initially dominated by reduced sugar and dried pineapple with white flower undertones. However, it gradually transitioned to a distinct plastic smell mixed with alcohol. On the palate the wine was viscous and overly sweet. Flavors of sugar and golden raisins fell off quickly leaving only a cloying heaviness behind. It is missing acid on the back end to balance the bold initial sweetness. The finish was unremarkable and dominated by alcohol. At $13 this wine was worth trying, but in the end it was too sweet and out of balance for us to purchase again.

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  11/26/2010 - David_T wrote: 87 Points

  First of all, let me say that it is worth spending $13 to try a Muscat de Rivesaltes if you've not had one before. It is unlike anything I've ever tasted, though it may not be for every palate. The closest thing I've had is a white Port. This wine is a 50/50 blend of Muscat d'Alexandria and Muscat Petits Grains. The color and viscosity are similar to many dessert wines. The nose is rich, thick with tropical fruit and apricot, but with a strong whiff of heat at the end. On the palate, the wine starts thick and a bit sweet, with tropical fruit and honey heading into the midpalate. The wine takes a bit of a dive as soon as it is swallowed, however, turning oily and hot. This blew off somewhat after the wine was open about an hour, but you could still tell this was a fortified wine as opposed to a late harvest/eiswein. I do recommend decanting for an hour if you open a bottle now. I'll be curious to see where this is after sitting open for a day. I also prefer it a bit warmer than the label recommends- slightly cooler than room temperature as opposed to a mid-50s cellar temperature. Good now, but it could be very good in 5 years or so if it comes together a bit more with age. I have one additional bottle I plan to hang onto until then.

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