Domaine des Escaravailles Rasteau “La Ponce”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This wine comes from a clay-limestone vineyard called “La Ponce.”
- The Le Ponce vineyard is located behind the winery, on the heights of the appellation of Rasteau, which is between 310 and 340m in altitude.
- Drink now or cellar age for 5-10 years.
Varietal Composition: 80% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah
Elaboration: The grapes are hand-picked and sorted at the vineyard. They are fully destemmed then fermented in concrete tanks, each grape separately. Vatting time is between 28 to 35 days with daily grape-treading and pumping-over. The Syrah is aged in old oak barrels and the Grenache in concrete tanks for fifteen months.
Tasting Notes: Pretty cherry red color. Elegant nose of jammy black fruits and garrigue. The palate is full, well-structured and pleasant. The finish is enjoyable with sweetness, blackcurrant, thyme and notes of leather. Close your eyes, this is Provence.
PRESS
2019 – 92 Wine Enthusiast | 91 Jeb Dunnuck
2020 – 93 Decanter | 91 Jeb Dunnuck
2021 – 90 Jeb Dunnuck
2022 – 92 Decanter | 90 James Suckling
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Domaine del Escaravailles derives its name from Escaravay, the Occitan language word for beetle. It was a nickname for the Black Penitents – the monks of Avignon who owned the farm in the 17th Century.
In 1953, Jean-Louis Ferran, a wine broker, sold his old car to help purchase the estate, which is located in the Appellation Rasteau in the southern Rhône wine region of France. It looks across the valley to Mont Ventoux of Tour de France fame.
Jean-Louis and his two sons planted vines and, in 1964, released bottles of Vin Doux Naturel Rasteau, a signature wine of the AOC. In 1988, Gilles Ferran became the winemaker while he and his wife raised their daughter, Madeline. Madeline Ferran watched and learned, growing to become the estate’s winemaker. Now, Madeline is becoming well-known for her increasingly sought-after wines.