Domaine des Escaravailles, 'La Ponce' Red, Rasteau, Rhône, France, 2022

Overview of the Wine
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.

Winemakers
Gilles & Madeline Ferran

Grape / Blend
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah

Origin
Rasteau, Rhône, France

Winemaker's 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.

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.

92 Points - Decanter
A fresh, pure expression, perfectly ripe fruit with no excesses. Lovely brightness on the palate, with fine tannins, and a stony finish. Long, straight, pure and fresh, very well balanced. 

90 Points - James Suckling
On the nose, this solid and creamy red blend of grenache and syrah shows notes of baked plums, prunes, black olives and some exotic spices. It’s full-bodied and generous, powdery tannins framing the ample midpalate. Drink or hold.

Product size: 750ml