Website: https://www.domaine-escaravailles.com/en/
In Occitan, Escaravailles translates to beetle, which explains the scarab beetle found on the label. Madeline Ferran, who re-joined her family’s domaine in 2018 and is now assisting in its management, allowed me to try these wines. Gilles Ferran, her father, deserves credit for the current state of the domaine as he began producing wines here in 1999. Gilles and the late Philip Cambie, who offered advisory services, were close friends and both graduated from the enology school in Montpellier the same year, with Giles leading and Philip following closely behind.
The domaine houses 60 hectares of vineyards. However, due to an ongoing familial distribution, the domain is expected to reduce its size by half. Madeline shares that a portion of the family is claiming the vines that her 80-year-old grandfather has nurtured since he was 14, a development that brings him much sorrow.
The wines are quite exceptional, and there is a noteworthy quality consistency in both the whites and reds. Furthermore, the pricing is reasonable.
Domaine des Escaravailles La Ponce Blanc 2022 Côtes du Rhône, France
Fermented and matured in stainless steel and one amphora. Features beautiful, supple, sweet fruits such as citrus, pear, and cherry, structured with fine grains. Refreshingly juicy and stylish. Rated 92/100.
Domaine des Escaravailles La Galopine Blanc 2022 Côtes du Rhône, France
A blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, and Viognier, matured in barrels and a clay pot from Andalusia, Spain. Offers stunning depth with notes of spice, pear, almond, cherry, and a hint of apricot richness. Fresh and enticing. A lovely vintage. Rated 93/100.
Domaine des Escaravailles Les Sabliers 2020 Côtes du Rhône, France
70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, grown in sandy soils. Showcases vivid, fresh, and supple tones with bright raspberry and cherry fruits. Combines nice acidity and focus. Pure and juicy with a hint of seriousness. Rated 92/100.
Domaine des Escaravailles Les Antimagnes 2020 Côtes du Rhône, France
80% Grenache and 20% Syrah from older vines, matured in concrete. Full-bodied yet yielding, with a nice grip. Features deliciously sweet cherry and plum fruit, complemented by spicy details. Has a savoury twist on the finish. Rated 93/100.
Domaine des Escaravailles Scarabée Libre 2021 Cairanne, France
50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah. No added sulfites, hence ‘libre’. Fresh, light and juicy with red cherries, plums and some herbal notes. There’s brightness here, and a supple personality. Some peppery notes on the finish. 91/100
Domaine des Escaravailles Le Ventabren 2020 Cairanne, France
70% Grenache, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah. Matured in concrete. Very fresh and expressive with juicy cherries and plums. There’s fresh bright fruit here with a peppery twist. Fine grained with nice detail. 93/100
Domaine des Escaravailles la Boutine 2020 Cairanne, France
85 year old Grenache raised in concrete. Supple, pure and very fine with redcurrants and cherry. Elegant and bright with real refinement, and a bit of grip on the finish. Nice precision here. 94/100
Domaine des Escaravailles Rasteau 2020 France
80% Grenache and 20% Syrah in concrete. Supple and fresh with nice juicy berry fruits. Some grippy structure here. Pure, delicious and bright. 92/100
Domaine des Escaravailles Le Coteaux 2020 Rasteau, France
80% Grenache, 20% Syrah, in concrete. Supple and juicy with nice bright fruit. Vivid cherry and plums with lovely weight and a touch of pepper. Pure and smashable. 93/100
Domaine des Escaravailles Heritage 1924 2020 Rasteau, France
Grenache from concrete. Sweet and fruity with nice spices and a concentrated cherry and plum core. Bold and vivid with sweet cherries and plums. Nicely intense, showing good structure and finesse. 95/100
Domaine des Escaravailles Argilla ad Argillam 2020 Rasteau
Supple, ripe and nicely weighted with sweet, pure cherry and blackberry fruit with some peppery hints. Sweet liqueur-like red fruits with a nice fine-grained structure, showing a smoothness but also enough structure. Has some brightness as well as pure, lush fruit. Very stylish. 94/100
Domaine des Escaravailles Les Hautes Granges 2021 Roaix, Côtes du Rhône Villages, France
Pure Syrah that spends 13 months in oak. Powerful and rich with vivid, direct black fruits. Lush cherries, blackberries and some pepper here, with a sweet fruit core and some wood showing. Good potential for development. 93/100