Vieux Corbières 1998
Full-bodied aged red wine · Les Caves Rocbère (mis en bouteille à la propriété)
Vintage: 1998
Type
Full-bodied aged red wine
Producer
Les Caves Rocbère (mis en bouteille à la propriété)
Country
France
Vintage
1998
Region & Appellation
Languedoc, Corbières AOC
Grape Varieties
Traditional Languedoc blend primarily consisting of Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre
Color & Appearance
Deep garnet with a significant brick-red and amber rim, showing clear signs of mature bottle aging
Aroma Profile
Complex tertiary development featuring notes of leather, dried fig, forest floor, damp earth, tobacco, and subtle garrigue herbs
Tasting Notes
A fully mature wine presenting a smooth attack, melting tannins, and tertiary dried fruit flavors balanced by softened acidity on a savory, lingering finish
Flavor Profile
Dried dark fruits, prune, leather, cured meat, roasted herbs, wet slate, and mild oak spice
Body & Texture
Medium to full-bodied with a velvety, smooth, and fully resolved texture from years of cellaring
Acidity & Tannins
Integrated, moderate acidity with thoroughly softened, velvety tannins that have lost all youthful astringency
Sweetness Level
Bone dry
Alcohol Content
Approximately 12.5% to 13.5% ABV
Aging & Oak
Extended bottle aging following traditional regional vinification and resting, with subtle structural integration from oak
Food Pairings
Braised lamb shank, wild boar stew, roasted duck, and aged hard cheeses like Comté or mature Cheddar
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 16-18°C in a large Bordeaux glass, decant gently to remove sediment, and consume immediately as it is fully mature
Price Range
15 to 30 USD
Quality Assessment
Good everyday mature regional wine, well-preserved if stored properly, scoring around 86-88 points
Production Methods
Traditional southern French fermentation with destemmed or partially whole cluster grapes, long maceration, and estate bottling
Terroir
Diverse Mediterranean terroir featuring limestone, clay, and stony schist soils under a warm, sun-drenched, windswept climate
History & Heritage
Corbières is the largest appellation in the Languedoc, steeped in winegrowing history dating back to Roman times and shaped by cooperative and independent producers
Interesting Facts
The term 'Vieux' indicates a wine that has undergone extended aging before release compared to standard regional bottlings
Cellaring Potential
Past its peak drinking window; should be consumed immediately as further cellaring will cause it to decline
Similar Wines
Other aged Languedoc reds from Minervois or Fitou, mature Côtes du Rhône villages