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90POINTS
16½/20
Domaine des Escaravailles Les Sablières Côtes du Rhône 2017
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceIf you're wondering why there's a wee beetle on the label, Escaravailles is the Occitan name for scarab beetles. The word was also used for the black-robed monks who occupied the area’s Catholic monasteries centuries ago. The domaine has been in the Férran family since the 1950s, and today amounts to 65 hectares of vineyards, 40 of which are in the rocky, clay-limestone hillsides of Rasteau. This grenache/syrah blend comes entirely from Rasteau, and from vines between 30-50 years old. This was raised entirely in concrete, where it rested for 11 months prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered. Authentically Rhone, and cloudy by intent, this is layered with resinous scrubby herbs, cassis, black raspberry and finocchiona. There's an alluring dusting of pink pepper floating throughout and lingering on the finish of this charmer.Tasted: 24 September 2020Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml | private wine shops |
