I think I purchased this bottle around 1992 from La Vigneronne in London. Probably paid around twenty pounds or so.
90% Grenache, Macabeu and Carignan I think? 70-litre glass demijohns then into foudres. Fortified, has a short stopper. 16% alc, opened and double decanted right away. Tasted with the staff at DeVines winestore downtown, we usually open something different from time to time!! Some of their comments are in quotation marks.
Color. Rainbow of varying brown reflections, “looks like an aged tawny”.
I thought pale orange-brown rim, medium depth in centre, no red at all. I think it could have a Madeira look about it?
Nose. Figs, burnt sugar, port-like, caramel, “toffee apple…nutty”.
Palate. Initial entry thought was terrific acidity still, rich, caramel on finish. No way is this close to being dead!
I noted quite a lot of sediment during decanting. The finish goes on and on, candied maraschino cherries, quite port-like indeed. Very good with some walnuts, “madeira…molasses…best wine I have tasted in 6 months”.
I thought quite thick and the burnt sugar reminded me of a cream caramel. I was able to take some home but hope it does not oxidize too quickly. Very proud to have opened with some excellent palates around me.