2002 La Cave de l’Abbé Rous Banyuls Hélyos

Community Tasting Notes (29) Avg Score: 92.7 points

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  9/24/2023 - dbkitc wrote: 95 Points

  This continues to be a real winner. Opaque garnet color with a nose that bursts with dried red currents and licorice. Creamy and rich without being heavy. Finish is long and full of zip (tobacco leaves). A complete wine that’s on point. (95)

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  11/26/2022 - dbkitc wrote: 95 Points

  Drinking these quickly as I just can’t imagine them getting any better. A heavenly dessert partner. A bit lighter and less aggressive fortified wine that exhibits tobacco and licorice elements to complement the fruit. Long and just terrific. (95)

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  11/4/2022 - dbkitc wrote: 96 Points

  Have not tasted a bottle in ten years - boy have I been missing out. This is just stunning. A Margeaux version of fortified wine - silky, elegant and seamless. But still full of sweet, mature fruit, licorice and crushed rocks. Different than vintage port as it has less structure and vibrancy. That said, the texture is just stunning. Not better or worse - just different. Perfect now - I can’t imagine a better time to drink. Great stuff. Wow. (96)

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  10/4/2022 - ScottPreston wrote: 90 Points

  Good substitute for port. A little less heavy with all the fruit. Still drinking well.

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  7/14/2022 - forceberry wrote: 93 Points

  This Rimage ("Vintage") is the highest-tier Banyuls by La Cave de l'Abbé Rous, made only in exceptional vintages. Of the 900 hectares of Grenache, only 7 ha (aged 25 to 60 years old) are employed in making this wine. The grapes are fermented and macerated with the skins for three weeks - although fermentation is halted by fortification once the residual sugar content reaches around 100 g/l. After maceration, the wine is pressed into once used barrels, in which it is aged for 10 months. 16,7% alcohol, 120 g/l residual sugar and 5,1 g/l acidity. Total production 18,000 bottles. Tasted blind.
  
  Very deep and completely opaque dark red color with a slightly evolved maroon hue. Very dense, concentrated and quite sweet nose with somewhat evolved aromas of cherry licorice root, some minty green notes, a little bit of cherry marmalade, light savory notes of earthy spices, a hint of pruney dark fruit and a touch of anise. The wine is sweet, rich and slightly hot on the palate with a full body and intense, somewhat evolved flavors of dried dates and prunes, some licorice root, a little bit of peppery spice, light raisiny tones, a hint of blueberry jam and a lifted touch of something minty. Although big, concentrated and chewy, the wine feels surprisingly balanced and structured at the same time, all thanks to its moderately high acidity and quite firm and grippy tannins. The finish is rich, sweet and moderately grippy with a long and complex aftertaste of raisins, some dried dates, a little bit of peppery spice, light earthy notes, hints of anise and licorice and a touch of blueberry jam.
  
  An impressively big, concentrated and complex Banyuls that goes beyond in body and power what is typical for Banyuls. The wine has evolved wonderfully, lending great sense of depth and complexity to the flavors without making the wine appear particularly aged even at 20 years of age. Based in the impressive power, depth and structure of the wine, it is easy to say it will continue to improve for years and years more. Excellent stuff that is great now and will only get better with further age. Not affordable for a Banyuls at approx. 45€, but really delivers for the price.

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