Domaine des Escaravailles Rasteau La Ponce 2007
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Robert
Parker
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau La Ponce (70% Grenache and 30% Syrah) reveals a smoky, chocolaty, meaty character as well as abundant quantities of black cherry jam displayed in a full-bodied, sensationally concentrated, dense, chewy style that saturates the palate. The vintage’s greatness is noticeable in the noble, ripe tannins and stunning length. This serious wine should age for 10-15 years. Readers should be on the lookout for the wines from this superb estate. None other than the brilliant southern Rhone oenologist Philippe Cambie is the consultant at Domaine des Escarvailles
Other Vintages
2006-
Robert
Parker
The Domaine des Escaravailles belongs to the Ferran family for now three generations as it was brought by Gilles Ferran's Grandfather, Jean-Louis Ferran in 1953.
Gilles Ferran took over the winery in 1999 when he started bottling his first wine, the Rasteau "La Ponce". He was major of his promotion in oenology in Montpellier and that was over ten years he was working in the winery aside his father Daniel.
The great advantage of the Escaravailles Terroir is to be situated at a high altitude (around 250 m) with steep slopes. These conditions are fundamental for the quality of the wine as the slope able a perfect drainage and exposition, the clay subsoil preserves some water reserves to delay the hydra stress phenomenal, and especially the altitude optimizes an important thermal amplitude between the day and the night, ideal to bring a great harmony and freshness in the wines.
The winery spreads out over 40 hectares on Rasteau and 25 hectares on Cairanne, Villedieu and Saint Roman. Les soils are divers, but the homogeneity is in the calcareous and clay ground.
With bold fruit flavors and accents of sweet spice, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre form the base of the classic Rhône Red Blend, while Carignan, Cinsault and Counoise often come in to play. Though they originated from France’s southern Rhône Valley, with some creative interpretation, Rhône blends have also become popular in other countries. Somm Secret—Putting their own local spin on the Rhône Red Blend, those from Priorat often include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In California, it is not uncommon to see Petite Sirah make an appearance.
A highly successful southern Rhone village promoted to Cotes du Rhone Villages status because of its intense and heady red wines, Rasteau is also recognized for its fortified wine, Vin Doux Naturel. Grenache is responsible for both styles. Rasteau also produces refreshing white and rosé table wines.