Domaine Rabasse-Charavin >
Rhone >
France|
 |
| CAIRANNE
One of the important estates of the southern Rhone, the Domaine Rabasse-Charavin produces a range of fine wines from its own vineyards spread out over the communes of Cairanne, Rasteau and Violes. This family domaine has been run by Corinne Couturier since 1985 when she took it over from her father, Robert Charavin. In 1993, her daughter Laure joined her, representing the fifth generation in the family to make wine at the Domaine. Couturier is one of the leading personalities in the southern Rhone, known for her serious, concentrated, traditionally-made wines from old vines. Under Couturier, vineyard management is “lutte raisonée”, or sustainable agriculture; the wines are bottled 100% unfined and unfiltered, which adds to their richness and natural typicité. In order to preserve the maximum amount of fruit, the wines are raised in steel or enameled cuves. Robert Parker gives the domaine four stars calling Couturier’s wines “excellent, rich, opulent, thick and sumptuous.” He adds “It is tempting to argue whether it is the Cairanne or Rasteau cuvées that are better, but frankly, everything that emerges from Rabasse-Charavin possesses plenty of fruit, character and quality.” |
| Cotes du Rhone Rouge |
This wine is made from 35% Grenache (vines of 10-40 years of age), 15% Syrah (10-30 years of age) and 50% Carignan (20-40 years of age). Forty hectolitres of wine is made per hectare producing a wine of some concentration and balance. It will keep for 2 to 5 years depending on the vintage and manner of storage. It is vinified in reinforced concrete tanks. Serving temperature 15 to 16 °C.
The vines all grow on the lower reaches of hillsides facing directly south for maximum sunshine.
This is a delicious fruity and aromatic red wine, which will complement any meal- from simple uncomplicated dishes to more complex preparations.
|
| Cotes du Rhone Villages - Cairanne |
To summarize Parker, there is no point trying to decide whether the Cairanne or Rasteau is the better wine as everything from this winery is of the highest quality. However, these two wines are distinct. Where the Rasteau is big, predominantly dark fruits and higher alcohol, the Cairanne is all about finesse, sweet fruit and elegance. It is a blend of old vines 70% Grenache (40-70 year old vines), 15% Syrah (20-30 years), 5% Cinsault (15-20 years) and 10% Counoise (30 years). The Syrah adds a gorgeous perfume and a silky texture. The vines grow on south-facing hillsides for maximum sun, and produce 30 hectolitres per hectare. This wine will age well 5 to 8 years.
The fruit is full, with notes of crushed dark berries. This is an elegant and powerful Rhone wine. The Cairanne is a fitting match to white meat dishes where a red wine is the answer: chicken, veal and pork. It is also super with aged cheeses.
|
 |
| Cotes du Rhone Villages - Rasteau |
Rasteau is one of the top Rhone Villages and will most likely be upgraded to sole appellation status like other excellent Villages before, Gigondas and Vacqueyras. This means that right now these wines offer tremendous value to the consumer. The hot, shale soils produce big wines and the Rabasse-Charavin Rasteau is no exception. A blend of 70 year old vines Grenache (60%) and 25 - 30 year old Mourvedre (40%),this dark, intense wine is a bit rustic when first bottled thus benefits from 2 or 3 years of ageing. At its peak, the wine exhibits a silky dark-berry fruit texture, and notes of black pepper and liquorice root. With time the tannins melt into the wine beautifully to produce a rich, harmonious drink that is appropriate as a By-The-Glass pour as well as a perfect match whenever a big red is called for.
|
| Cairanne - Cuvee d'Estevenas |
This wine represents Couturier's top cuvee of Cairanne. The grapes come from a parcel which is the highest in the appellation with tiny yields -- there are only 25 hectoliters per hectare. As expected, this special cuvee has even more depth and intensity than her regular bottling. Composed of fruit from 100 year old Grenache vines (80%) and 25 to 30 year old Syrah vines (20%), this beautifully structured wine has firm tannins and is remarkably fine and delicate. The great age of the vines and their excellent exposure to the southern sun produce concentration and complex flavors of pepper and spices.
This wine will keep and improve for 7 to 12 years or more. Cuvée d’Estevenas is a wine that should be decanted to allow all its aromatic nuances to develop. Serve at 17 to 18°C.
|
