Château D'Aqueria, Tavel Rosé, Côtes du Rhône, France, 2019
Overview of the Wine
Tavel is situated in the southern end of the Côtes-du-Rhône across the river from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The distinguishing feature of the area's soils is that they are characterized by hillocks of sand over a chalky clay subsoil, very well-drained, arid and without limestone content. The long growing season and intense, sunny summers yield fruit of extraordinary ripeness, concentration and richness in sugar.
In 1595, the monks of the Abbey of Villeneuve-les-Avignon transferred a large portion of their landholding northeast of Avignon, on the right bank of the Rhône River, to a citizen and aristocrat of Avignon, Louis Joseph d'Aquéria. This district, known as the "puy sablonnier," or "sandy hill," covered the east-central quarter of what was then and is now Tavel. Aquéria planted vines there and built a residence at the beginning of the 1600s, and the area became known by his name. Over the next two centuries the vineyard remained productive, but was sold and subdivided many times; at the beginning of the 18th century the present chateau was constructed.
Chateau d'Aquéria is now owned by the son of Jean Olivier, Paul de Bez, and his sons Vincent and Bruno, who over the end of the 1980s renovated the vinification facilities and cellars with the addition of stainless steel fermentation tanks and exact temperature control over wines in storage.
Grape / Blend
Blend: Bourboulenc, Cinsault, Clairette, Grenache, Syrah
Origin
Côtes du Rhône, France
Tasting Notes
Vibrant salmon-coral in color, this wine is bone dry, full-bodied and full of fruit on the palate, with the lusciousness and depth that has made the wines of Tavel famous.
Delicious with shellfish, salad and poultry.
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Year after year, this mouthwatering rosé is an approachably priced, stand-out pick amid an excellent lineup of Tavel bottlings. It’s weighty and concentrated yet always invigorating, packed with crisp-tart blackberry and black-cherry flavors marked by complexities of bramble, garrigue and earth. A wine worth drinking beyond the summer months, it should fare beautifully through 2023.
Product Size: 750ml
