Domaine des Escaravailles “La Ponce”
RASTEAU, FRANCE | 2019
Domaine des Escaravailles is a small southern Rhône winery run by the Ferran family. Established in 1953 by Jean-Louis Ferran and then onto his sons Daniel and Jean-Pierre, since 1999 the estate has flourished under the current leadership of its third generation, Gilles Ferran. Gilles, a distinguished graduate of the University of Montpellier's School of Oenology, has guided the estate with a passion for crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of Rasteau. Located just north of Gigondas and Vacqueyras, Rasteau has a rich winemaking history dating back centuries. The region is renowned for its sun-drenched vineyards where the Mediterranean climate and rugged terrain create ideal conditions for grape cultivation. Rasteau was one of the first French wine regions granted its own AOC status in 1944 recognizing the distinctiveness of its wines from the rest of the vast Cótes du Rhône Villages AOC.
Nestled on stony, sloping clay-limestone slopes spanning 40 hectares, Domaine des Escaravailles epitomizes the essence of Provence winemaking. The garrigue-laden vineyards are meticulously tended to with traditional methods such as manual ploughing and organic fertilizers, while the harvest is conducted entirely by hand to ensure the utmost quality of fruit. In an ancient semi-buried cellar located amidst the vineyards, the domaine’s grapes undergo vinification and aging until the winery deems it time to release.
“La Ponce” is one of the estate's flagship wines and is a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache which beautifully translate the distinctive terroir of the high-elevation clay-limestone vineyard behind the winery. Hand-picked and sorted at the vineyard, the grapes undergo vinification in concrete tanks with each grape variety fermented separately. Following a vatting time of 28 to 35 days, the wine is aged for fifteen months with the Syrah in old oak barrels and the Grenache in concrete tanks.
"La Ponce" first hits the eye with a pretty cherry-red hue and presents an elegant nose of jammy black fruits and dried herbs. The palate is full-bodied and well-structured with a seamless interplay of acidity and robust tannins. Notes of blackcurrant, thyme, and leather linger on the finish evoking the essence of Provence. Pair this beauty with dishes such as baked eggplant with garlic, or caramelized pork loin.