Escaravailles Rasteau 'Coteaux'

Domaine des Escaravailles Rasteau “Les Coteaux” 2023 - Rhône Valley, France

$27     Soul Wine Price  $22.95

Rasteau is a relatively new entrant to the cluster of Rhône villages with full appellation status, having only been approved by the powers that be in 2010.  It lies northeast of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and due north of the villages, (Beaumes-de-Venise, Vacqueras, Gigondas and Sablet) that line the lower slopes of the Dentelles mountains. Escaravailles’ vines are situated in the north end of the appellation on one of its highest hillsides with an ideal southeast exposure. The soils are composed of a blue marl clay which retains water well and the Rhône’s famous galets roulés which are found in places all across the Rhône valley, most famously covering the vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

“Les Coteaux” is composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah from mostly old vines in sustainably farmed vineyards. The grapes are harvested and sorted by hand, destemmed and fermented separately in concrete tanks from 28 to 35 days. The wine is then aged for 15 months in concrete. This is a full-fruited, juicy wine with plum and dark cherry, notes of licorice, a faint hint of garrigue and touch of pepper at the finish.  Mediterranean dishes of all stripes will love this wine. I'm thinking of grilled rabbit marinated in rosemary and garlic and a gratin of roasted eggplant and red peppers. (Anders)