Les Parcellaires – La Gravière

Kräftiges Karmingranat, violette Reflexe, dezente Ockerrandaufhellung. Feine rote Waldbeeren, dezente Kräuterwürze, dezent nach Lakritze, kandierte Veilchen, ein Hauch von Orangenzesten. Straff, rotbeerig, rassiger Säurebogen, Nuancen von Ribisel, feine Tannine, Limettenzesten, sehr lebendig und animierend, rotbeeriger Nachhall, ein delikater Speisenbegleiter.

La parcelle La Gravière, avec son sol de graves profondes est particulièrement adaptée au Cabernet Sauvignon. On retrouve quatre sols sur cette parcelle : le brunisol sablo-graveleux sur graves argilo-sableuses, le peyrosol gravelo-sableux ferrique, le néoluvisol gravelo-sableux sur argiles et le luvisol sableux avec des graves profondes sur sable argileux. Le bouquet est fin et subtil. Il révèle de la fraîcheur au travers de notes de baies rouges et d’épices. Il affiche également de classiques nuances fumées, typiques de l’AOC Graves. Friand et juteux en bouche, le vin a du tempérament. Ses tannins veloutés assurent bien les arrières en compagnie de la structure acide qui favorise l’expression aromatique et la persistance de la finale. Un vin convaincant, précis, qui mérite un peu de garde.

Shaded garnet. Frank and fruity with racy acidity but much more callow than the Don Melchor 2020 just tasted. Soft tannins and attractive, if fairly simple, grip. Dry finish.

From the vineyard of Château Rahoul, and named for the gravel soils of the parcel from where this originated, this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. It was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel cuve, then matured two-thirds in Tava clay amphorae and one-third in used barrels, for twelve months. This was tasted from a 100 ml WITT sample tube. The nose has a touch of brooding intensity to it, dark, concentrated, and complemented by toast, rose petal, melted tar, and a little hint of reduction. The palate has real impact, with a confident and seamless core of fruit mirroring the nose, with black cherry and coffee ground notes too, a medium-bodied substance, ripe tannic grip and balance. This feels nicely composed and complete, and should develop well. It lingers with a modest tannic grip in the finish, and clearly has some evolution to get through. Well done.

One of three new single-varietal expressions taken from among the best vineyards Dourthe owns. This is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Château Rahoul on deep gravel soils - hence the name. Smoky aromas with some sweetness also to the aromatics on the nose - blackcurrant, plum and black cherry but something extremely lifted and lively about it with eucalyptus, aniseed, liquorice and cinnamon - all classic Cab markers. Sharp and a little tight on the palate, finely knitted right now almost to the point of being severe with high acidity giving the crispness and upfront fruit elements. Lots of youthful energy with a real drive of flavour from start to finish. Some dark chocolate, violet cherry and blackcurrant comes in towards the mid palate - overall upfront and characterful. I love the energy and the purity of Cabernet Sauvignon without any additions. Ageing 2/3 in amphora, 1/3 in 2-year-old barrels for 12 months.

Les parcellaires la Gravière 2020 du château Rahoul, Graves. 20 €. La parcelle sélectionnée est sur des graves profondes, « du cailloux ». Un monocépage de cabernet sauvignon élevé en cuve puis 2/3 en amphore et 1/3 en vieilles barriques pendant 12 mois. « On ne veut pas de boisé en barrique neuve ». Le nez est flatteur, chaleureux, sur les fruits rouges (cerise, fraise et myrtille sauvage), une pointe de sureau et de tabac blond. La bouche se révèle fraîche, sur une attaque de saveurs mentholées et d’eucalyptus, de fraise. La matière est très texturée et poudreuse, et confirme ses saveurs de confiture de myrtille. L’austérité du cabernet a été gommée sans céder sur la texture et les saveurs. Un graves atypique, sans merlot, savoureux.    Avec une côte de bœuf de Bazas.

Cabernet Sauvignon from Château Rahoul, with four different soil types all based on deep gravels. Aged two-thirds in amphorae and one-third in used barrels. Brooding spicy blackcurrant frit nose, with lovely perfume. The palate is grainy and grippy with bright blackcurrant fruit and a sappy, slightly green edge. Fresh, green-tinged and nicely structured.

The 2020 Les Parcellaires - La Graviere, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is a tightly-wound, savory wine. Cured meats, white pepper, spice and tobacco give the 2020 lovely aromatic presence to match its nervy, mid-weight feel. A burst of red/purplish fruit and rose petal notes linger on the close.

Four different soils are in play here, but with gravel as their leitmotif—a deep gravel that is specially well suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, it seems. A classic red Graves nose: mineral, black and white pepper, and a hint of licorice. The palate is dominated by dark fruit—cassis and black cherry, in particular—and the powdery tannins hold the ripe vintage in check with great authority. A pleasing, poised finish. The wine was matured in amphorae (two thirds) and two-year-old oak (one third) for 12 months.