Domaine de la Rectorie Banyuls Cuvée Léon Parcé 2019
Domaine de la Rectorie · Domaine de la Rectorie
Domaine de la Rectorie's Léon Parcé bottling demonstrates that Banyuls — one of France's most underappreciated appellations — can produce wines of extraordinary complexity and restraint. The Mediterranean heat that bakes these coastal terraces is the same heat that concentrates the Grenache to an almost raisined intensity, which the Parcé brothers then harness with precision. This is a wine that bridges the worlds of wine and spirits.
Nose
Rich cherry and dried fig fill the glass, layered with toasted almond and a warm marzipan sweetness. Beneath the fruit sits a subtle violet perfume and a cocoa-dusted quality. There is a faint savory undertone — almost gamey — that adds depth.
Palate
Luscious and medium-sweet, with blackcurrant and cherry compote supported by firm tannins and a cedar-like structure. The fortification is seamlessly integrated, carrying flavors of vanilla and toasted hazelnuts. A floral lift of rose emerges at midpalate, preventing the wine from feeling heavy.
Finish
Long and warming, with lingering cherry, marzipan, and a woody spice. The sweetness never cloys, thanks to a backbone of acidity that keeps everything in balance.
- Varietal
- Grenache Noir
- Blend
- Grenache Noir with small amounts of Grenache Gris and Carignan
- Vineyards
- Cosprons Levants and other steep schist terraces overlooking the Mediterranean
- Alcohol
- 18.0%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Flourless dark chocolate torte with a sprinkle of fleur de sel, served alongside fresh raspberries and a dollop of crème fraîche.
The Parcé brothers, Marc and Thierry, farm precipitous schist terraces above the Mediterranean in Banyuls-sur-Mer, where their grandfather Léon established the domaine and the vine rows are so steep that everything must be done by hand.
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