Banyuls Wine La Serra 2005

Located at the eastern end of the Eastern Pyrenees, the Banyuls appellation stretches across four municipalities: Collioure, Port-Vendres, Banyuls-sur-Mer, and Cerbère.

Its steep hillsides plunge into the Mediterranean over approximately 1200 hectares of schist, poor, and acidic soils, perfect for Grenache. Terraced vineyards ensure ample sunlight exposure, while the nearby sea fosters a microclimate conducive to grape maturation. Banyuls wines are "mutated," with alcohol added to halt fermentation and retain natural grape sugars. Aging, a critical process, can be oxidative ("rancio") in sun-exposed barrels or aimed at preserving fruitiness, resulting in a youthful "rimage." Grand Crus, red wines aged for 30 months in wood, must contain at least 75% Grenache Noir. Reds offer notes of dried fruits, prunes, coffee, brandy, and roasted almonds, while rimages retain the freshness of red fruits and kirsch.