Viniou Reviews
Domaine S Escaravailles’ Cuvée Les Coteaux 2020 from the Rasteau AOC is an expressive red wine that captures all the generosity and warmth of its southern Rhône origins. Crafted predominantly from old-vine Grenache, with supporting roles often played by Syrah and Mourvèdre, this cuvée embodies the power and complexity typical of Rasteau reds. The grapes are hand-harvested from hillside vineyards with clay-limestone soils, benefitting from optimal sun exposure. In the cellar, the winemaking is traditional, favouring gentle extraction and maturation in vats to preserve the purity of fruit, leading to a wine bursting with dark cherry, plum, dried herbs and subtle spice, underpinned by smooth tannins and a hint of Mediterranean garrigue.
Rasteau itself is a historic village perched on a series of sun-baked slopes in the southern Rhône Valley. The region is renowned for its rugged terroir: stony clay-limestone soils, abundant sunshine and the ever-present mistral wind contribute to the production of concentrated, structured reds. Rasteau was originally famed for its fortified vins doux naturels, but since being awarded its own AOC status for dry reds, it has become a reference for bold, expressive wines that speak of the landscape. The vineyards’ southern orientation and warmth allow Grenache to achieve full ripeness, while the altitude lends freshness and balance to the wines.
This Rasteau pairs beautifully with hearty fare. Its richness and spice work particularly well with slow-cooked lamb shoulder, beef stew with Provençal herbs, or a classic daube de boeuf. For a regional match, try wild boar stew or roasted duck with figs. Mature cheeses, such as aged Comté or a nutty Tomme de Savoie, are equally suitable partners.
For optimal tasting, serve this wine at 16-18°C. Decanting for an hour before serving will allow the aromas to fully blossom and the tannins to soften, especially while the wine is still youthful. Enjoy now for its vigour or cellar for several years to witness its evolution.
