Banyuls Cave de l'Étoile: A Winery Born on the Mediterranean Coast

The Cave de l'Étoile is located in the center of Banyuls-sur-Mer, a few hundred meters from the beach. Founded in 1921 by eleven winegrowers who wanted to market their wines themselves, it is part of the cooperative history of Roussillon.

In 1935, the winery strengthened its facilities with the acquisition of the Trilles cellars. This past explains the presence of a particularly interesting winemaking and storage heritage for lovers of old Banyuls.

The terraced vineyard of Banyuls-sur-Mer

The Cave de l'Étoile cultivates approximately 150 hectares of terraced vines. The plots cling to the slopes of the Côte Vermeille, on poor slate soils. Growing vines here requires precise work, with a landscape very different from that of plain vineyards.

Grenache noir and Grenache gris play a central role, accompanied notably by Syrah and Mourvèdre. This combination of relief, schist, and Mediterranean climate gives Banyuls a rich texture and a real aptitude for evolution.

The different expressions of Banyuls Cave de l'Étoile

The winery's range allows for a comparison of several styles of natural sweet wines:

• Banyuls Rimage: an expression focused on fruit and aromatic freshness, aged away from oxidation.
• Banyuls Traditionnel: an oxidative aging process that develops more evolved notes and a full texture.
• Banyuls Grand Cru: a cellar-worthy cuvée aged for a minimum of 30 months in an oxidative environment, with at least 75% Grenache noir.
• Banyuls millésimé (vintage): a bottle tied to a specific year, sought after for its tasting and collection value.

The old vintages of Cave de l'Étoile

The available references span several decades, with vintage Banyuls from 1945 to 1989. Verified years include 1945, 1948, 1955, 1958, 1965, 1969, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, and 1989.

A vintage Banyuls can be chosen for a birth year, an anniversary, or a family date. The exact characteristics, volume, and stock are indicated on each product sheet.

How to taste a Banyuls Cave de l'Étoile?

Banyuls should be enjoyed slightly chilled, in a wine glass or a tasting glass. Depending on the cuvée and vintage, you may find aromas of ripe red fruits, prune, cocoa, dried fruits, spices, and toasted notes.

Rimage pairs well with a red fruit or chocolate dessert. More evolved Banyuls can be served with a cocoa dessert, dried fruits, a blue cheese, or simply on their own at the end of a meal.

Which Banyuls from Cave de l'Étoile to choose?

Choose a Rimage to prioritize the brightness of the fruit, a Traditionnel to discover the oxidative style, or a Grand Cru for a more structured bottle. For a personalized gift, the vintage remains the most meaningful choice: the year immediately gives a story to the bottle.

The Cap Vintage selection

Cap Vintage offers a selection of Banyuls Cave de l'Étoile: Rimage, Traditionnel, Grand Cru, and old vintages. Consult each product sheet to check the year, format, alcohol content, and availability before ordering.