Domaine des Escaravailles Roaix “Les Hautes Granges”
WHY WE LOVE IT
- This wine offers a round, graphite and elegant Syrah. A wine made for aging.
- Les Hauts Granges is a confidential wine that comes from a vineyard called “Les Hautes Granges” composed of clay-limestone soils, on the appellation of Roaix.
- Drink now or cellar age for 8-10 years.
Varietal Composition: 100% Old Syrah
Elaboration: The grapes are hand-picked and sorted at the vineyard. They are fully destemmed then fermented in concrete tanks. Vatting time is between 28 to 35 days with daily grape- treading and pumping-over. Ageing in then oak barrels (225L) for nine months.
Tasting Notes: Superb deep red wine color with inky reflections. Elegant and graphite nose of violet, cherry brandy and eucalyptus. The palate is full and round, with cocoa aromas combined with liquorice and white pepper.
PRESS
2020 – 93 Jeb Dunnuck
2021 – 91 Decanter | 90 Wine Advocate
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.