In 1953, Jean-Louis Ferran purchased several well-situated hillside parcels above the southern Rhone villages of Rasteau, Cairanne and Roaix. He dubbed his new Domaine Escarvailles, the Occitan word for beetles (scarabs). This was a nickname for the black-robed monks of the area's hill-perched Catholic monasteries in centuries past.
The Ferran's modern winery is built into the hillside in the heights of Rasteau, surrounded by terraced vineyards. It is the Grenache from these high altitude vineyards (average 600 feet) that sets Escarvailles wines apart from many of the overripe and over-extracted reds from this sun-baked part of Provence.
Domaine des Escarvailles is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Carignan. It has a dark ruby color with glints of purple. It is rich and full-bodied and has pure fruit that tastes of raspberries, black cherries, spices, minerals and earth. In the mouth, it is soft with refined tannins and it has a wonderful balance. It goes great with red meat, hearty soups and chicken.
To order, click here: Bottle ($16.00), Case ($153.60 - 20% off!).
