TN: 1949 Domaines et Terroirs du Sud Banyuls GC, Vin Doux Naturel, Roussillon, France

[John Trombley]

16.5 pabv. Approx $80/750 ml. Purchased about 8 years ago specifically to celebrate Barbara's 65th birthday on 3/20/2014. Opened for dinner at the Pinnacles Grill on board the MS Zuiderdam (Holland America Lines) on the way to dockside in Aruba. This wine is a Grenache VDN dessert wine.

This wine seems to have little crusting or particulates when opened. Double-decanted from cork-finished bottle at first into duck decanter by Chief Cellarmaster Adrien, who also approved the health and well-being of this bottle. Bottled no more than about 10 to 15 years ago and has spent the rest of its life predominately in neutral oak or glass. A very richly extracted (by appearance) vibrant red wine, translucent to the center of the glass; plenty of legs.

Scents of savory dry red candied cherries, with caramel, spun sugar and mild earthy tarriness, a hint of vanilla cream, and a bare minimum of fruity ester and volatile acidity.

A beautiful red cherry pudding, caramel, and nutmeg mouthful, with a seasoning of dry ripe tannin and great length of cherry, chocolate, and volcanic-grown Arabica coffee. Reminds me strongly of some of the best old Commandaria (Cyprus) wines I've had long ago. Came to the table with an amuse-bouche of tuna and hazelnut with a soy reduction.

Drinks beautifully over several days and even through three plus weeks. 94/100. Thanks, Barbara, for the first wonderful nine years of our love; drink now through 2025. Great anticipation for the future. (94 pts.)

[Eric Ifune]

John,
Thanks for the note.
I inherited a bottle of this from my father a few years ago.
eric

[Moses Botbol]

Sounds awesome

[John Trombley]

No hurry to drink this, if you like 'em mature, Eric, but it's drinking quite well right now, as you can see. Interesting that there is a bottle going for auction this week for about $100 so far.

[Eric Ifune]

Had a Maury a week ago, obviously quite old but no vintage date. It was delicious and a steal.

[Steve Pollack]

Had a Maury a week ago, obviously quite old but no vintage date. It was delicious and a steal.

+1