2010 Domaine des Escaravailles La Ponce Rasteau

Opaque black dark crimson red colour with dark red hue. Aromas of liquorice and dark raspberry are followed by some meaty characters and blackpepper end notes. Medium to full bodied the palate has softened and become more expansive since out first tasting over 12 months ago. Not as lusty as the 2007 it combines elegance and a masculine structure delivering flavours of liquorice, black cherry, dried meats and blackpepper. Very fine grained but slightly dryish tannins showing good balance. Long aftertaste of black cherry, liquorice, dried meats and blackpepper.
Cellar 4-5 years
Alc 14.5%

Other Reviews….
With 160 acres of vines, most of them planted on hillsides in Rasteau, this is a serious estate that remains somewhat under the radar. It is run by Gilles Ferran, who graduated first in his class at the University of Montpellier's School of Oenology (the number two graduate that year was his best friend, Philippe Cambie, who now consults at Escaravailles). The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau La Ponce (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) exhibits a deep purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of chocolate-infused blackberries and kirsch, Provencal garrigue and licorice. This pure, big, masculine Rasteau has not lost the 2010 hallmarks of elegance and precision. Drink it over the next decade.
92 points
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate