2010 Rasteau La Ponce
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Tasting notes
80% Grenache from vines over 90 years old and 20% Syrah from 45 year-old vines, planted on red and yellow clay with veins of blue marl and grown at cooler altitudes of 150 – 200m with a yield of 35 hl/ha. The grapes were hand-harvested with a yield of 35 hl/ha, destalked and fermented separately for 25 days in 150hl stainless steel vats. Gently pressed in pneumatic press and natural malo. Grenache aged in cement vat and Syrah in 2-5 year-old Burgundy 228l oak barrels for 14 months on fine lees with no stirring. Bottled Feb 2013. Owner and winemaker Gilles Ferran works with top Rhône consultant oenologist and old friend from his university days, Philippe Cambie. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. TA 3.29 g/l, pH 3.6, RS 0.6 g/l. Sweet and rich with some polish. Lots of personality and a fair price for such a hand-crafted wine. 15% though! (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
An outstanding Rasteau that shows the appellation and vintage beautifully, the 2010 Domaine des Escaravailles Rasteau La Ponce is comprised of 80% Grenache (80-year-old vines) and 20% Syrah. It exhibits beautifully pure black cherry fruit to go with notions of licorice, saddle leather, pepper, and crushed stone minerality on the nose. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied 2010 that has an elegant, soft texture, loads of fruit, and a fun, ‘oh so drinkable’ profile that keeps you coming back to the glass. It is a winner that will impress for 5-8 years or more.
The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau La Ponce (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) exhibits a deep purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of chocolate-infused blackberries and kirsch, Provencal garrigue and licorice. This pure, big, masculine Rasteau has not lost the 2010 hallmarks of elegance and precision. Drink it over the next decade. With 160 acres of vines, most of them planted on hillsides in Rasteau, this is a serious estate that remains somewhat under the radar. It is run by Gilles Ferran, who graduated first in his class at the University of Montpellier's School of Oenology (the number two graduate that year was his best friend, Philippe Cambie, who now consults at Escaravailles). Importer: Jeff Welburn Selections, New York, NY; tel: (212) 247-2252; www.jeffwelburn.com
The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau La Ponce (80% Grenache and 20% Syrah) exhibits a deep purple color along with a big, sweet kiss of chocolate-infused blackberries and kirsch, Provencal garrigue and licorice. This pure, big, masculine Rasteau has not lost the 2010 hallmarks of elegance and precision. Drink it over the next decade. ||With 160 acres of vines, most of them planted on hillsides in Rasteau, this is a serious estate that remains somewhat under the radar. It is run by Gilles Ferran, who graduated first in his class at the University of Montpellier's School of Oenology (the number two graduate that year was his best friend, Philippe Cambie, who now consults at Escaravailles). Wine Advocate.October, 2011