Rivesaltes Ambre Chateau de Jau 2009 500ml

Rivesaltes Ambre Chateau de Jau 2009, organic dessert wine.  Rivesaltes is one of those old school french wines which until recently were not much seen outside of their home area.  In this case, the area is the Roussillon and here they have been making richly sweet and age worthy wines for centuries.  The name Rivesaltes refers to both the name of the wine and the region from where it comes.  This region lies just inland from Perpignan not far from the Pyrenees mountains and the spanish border.  There can be several styles of Rivesaltes with varying degrees of ageing and quality.  The Ambre is made from white grapes and has to undergo at least two years of oxidative ageing.  This process imparts the dark ‘amber’ colour and also a vast array of complex flavours and aromas.  The 2009 Ambre of Chateau de Jau is a fantastic example of this classic style of wine at an amazing price.  The palate is really full, warming, luscious with dried fruits, sweet spice, coffee and caramel and much more.  These wines are superb with nuts, dried fruits, blue cheeses, and desserts made with honey or chocolate or orangey flavours.  They are great for the winter time and with christmas goodies like mince pies.