2012 Domaine des Escaravailles La Ponce Rasteau

Rasteau's 880 hectares of vines are planted on marl and red and yellow clay soils over sandstone with rounded stones covering some sectors, which in heatwave vintages act like health insurance against hydric stress. By law, the Grenache component in the dry red blends must be 50% minimum, with Syrah and/or Mourvedre 20% minimum and other grape varieties of the appellation tolerated up to 20%. In 2010 the Rasteau AOC was created allowing the wines to be named after the village, dropping the Cotes-du-Rhone tag and joining the likes of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas at the pinnacle of the wine hierarchy in the Southern Rhone. 

Part of the success of Domaines Des Escaravailles is due to the input of French oenologist, Philippe Cambie. As well as acting as a consultant winemaker for other Southern Rhone estates like Domaine Grand Nicolet, Cambie also consults to many of the top wines in Chateauneuf du Pape, including Pegau and Vieux Donjon.

Opaque black dark purple colour with a dark purple red hue. Pronounced aromas of black cherries, cloves, scorched earth, subtle incense and blackpepper. The palate has decidedly more weight and richness than the entry level Cotes du Rhones from 2012 featuring flavours of black raspberries, liquorice, spicy dried meats and cloves with a peppery overlay. Relatively elegant and structured for a La Ponce it finishes with solid, moderately chewy tannins. Long peppery black raspberry, liquorice, clove and dried meats aftertaste.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc. 15%