Visiting Rives-Blanques 2

Who knows, perhaps my last visit to my favourite winery :-( As always, Caryl was extremely pleasant and led us through some of the recent releases of their wines. She then surprised us by asking whether we would like to taste a bit of Nicolas Joly's Coulée de Serrant from 1996. Wow, what a strange wine!

• 2009 Château Rives-Blanques Crémant de Limoux Vintage Rosé

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux

  A very full on nose of strawberries with a yeasty background to it, very inviting. Also on the palate, very full-bodied and delicious strawberry. Should have gotten a bottle or two!

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• 2011 Château Rives-Blanques Mauzac Limoux Cuvée Occitania

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Limoux

  Floral scents, some oak on the nose, quite tight at the moment, although shows much promise, give it a year or two in the cellar.

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• 2010 Château Rives-Blanques Chenin Blanc Limoux Dédicace

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Limoux

  Excellent again! I love this wine in all its vintages. Full-bodied, with very nice florals and good fruit on the palate.

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• 2011 Château Rives-Blanques Chardonnay Limoux Cuvée de l'Odyssée

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Limoux

  Of the wines we tasted, this was perhaps the weakest, on the light side, white fruits, some oak, quite ok. Got a couple of bottles, will see how it is at home.

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• 2010 Château Rives-Blanques Limoux Le Limoux

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Limoux

  As in my previous note, a blend of Dedicace, Odyssee and Occitania, a very nice and easy wine, elegant even.

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• 1996 Nicolas Joly Clos de la Coulée de Serrant

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Savennières-Coulée de Serrant

  Tasted courtesy of Château Rives-Blanques, had been open for two days. Oh my, how different can you get?? Beeswax, honey, very different. Also on the palate, very dry, earthy, even oxidized taste, almost tannic, very weird. I liked it, but it was something I haven't experienced before!

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I bought quite a few of the wines, and was most pleasantly surprised that I could buy a box of their 2011 Dedicace (which is not on the market yet) and also my special request of getting a bottle of 2006 Dedicace was honoured, which makes me very happy. Long live Rives-Blanques!