Tasting Notes
Southern Rhone reds at 14% alcohol can be a little hit and miss. Sometimes they're a little big, rich and ripe without the structure to back it up. Not this one though! Rabasse Charavin have been around since 1880 so I get the feeling they know what they're doing.
Rasteau is one of the appellations within Cotes du Rhone and this is one of the most brilliant examples I've tried from the region. It starts out dark and blackcurrent-like and as it opens it moves into a blueberry-like (from the Grenache I think) fruit spectrum. Among the fruit you see a herbal seam laced deeply within the wine, adding another layer of complexity. Then the wine transcends into a meaty, gamey and iron-rich territory (from the Mourvèdre I suppose) with more time in the glass. I've seen evolution like this before, but not often. It's unique. And then when you think it's all over the mineral notes that only limestone soils can portray sink into the back palate of the wine. This really is a brilliant experience. A phenomenal wine.
- Chris L
| Product Type | Wine Red Grenache & Friends |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Southern Rhone |
| Sub Region | Rasteau |
| Winemaking Practices | Conventional |
| Vineyard Practices | Minimal Intervention |