Since my Thanksgiving Video Post was about Rose wines that pair well with the entire Thanksgiving dinner, I thought I would speak about a unique one from a unique area that was featured in the video.
Where Is Tavel?
As you can see buy this map, Tavel is located in the Southern Rhone Valley of France just 15km Away from The OLD HOME OF THE POPES Avignon and the Chateauneuf Du Pape (The New Home of The Popes). Its also near Cotes Du Rhone, Vacqueyras, Gigondsas and Nimes. The Cave De Tavel is a huge negociant that is responsible for about 43% of the wines of this area and the Rose I am just in love with comes from this negociant and Domaine Des Carteresses and the Village of Tavel.
Domaine Des Carteresses Tavel Rose
The Cave des vignerons de Tavel is in the purest Provençal style.It was
built in 1937 when Tavel wines were labelled AOC. It is to date the only
winery to be opened by a President of the Republic – Albert Lebrun in
1938. Cave de Tavel produces half of the Tavel AOC wines, as well as
Lirac, Côtes-du-Rhône Villages and Côtes-du-Rhône. There are 140
producers, all involved in the day-to-day life of the winery and have their
say in the investment decisions for making wines which frequently win
medals and are regularly mentioned in wine guides. Tavel is a unique rosé produced by a type of vinification which makes it completely different from any other rosé and is more like that of a red wine with long maceration of 48 to 72 hours. After pressing, fermentation takes 10 to 15 days at low temperature (55-57 degrees) This is why the color is so dark red compared to other Roses from Southern France.
The Wine
Since it’s proximity of the terroir which is all limestone and small gravel and pebbles, this Tavel is using 5 out of the 13 grapes that can be used in the Region of Chateaneuf Du Pape. 50% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 13% Clairette, 12% Picpoul and 10% Syrah! I told you this is Unique Stuff!.
My Wine Review
I am tasting the 2015 but we also have the 2016 vintage. The 2015 received 92 Points from Wine Enthusiast and the 2016 received 92 Points Wine Advocate. The color is the prettiest ruby almost ruby red grapefruit color you have ever seen on a Rose. It is no oak just stainless steel fermentation and aging. It has 14% Alcohol but the aromas of this wine are intense full of cherry and fresh raspberry with exotic spices and citrus peel. On the palate this is not wimpy which is why I call this a Rose for a Red Wine Drinker. It is a rich full mouth of pink grapefruit, tart black cherries almost slightly bitter, tingling minerality and just enough citrus pith type flavors to let you know it’s a rose and very spicy black peppercorns on the finish to let you know this is TAVEL and we are not in PROVENCE anymore. I would have to agree with the publications that gave this 92 points. It has become my new favorite Rose that we offer at ABC Fine Wines and Spirits as one of our Direct To You Wines in Florida.
The Summary
Besides being the STILL not sparkling Rose of my choice for Thanksgiving and for only $12.99 and this type of quality it is a total no brainer. Buy as many bottles or cases you can get your hands on and thank me later. I think if you are a Red Wine Drinker transitioning to Rose or if you are like many couples or wine drinking families that some like white and some like red this is the perfect compromise wine. I literally could drink this everyday when I come home from work. What a huge difference TAVEL is compared to other French or Italian Roses. That peppery spice and the richness won me over. Happy Thanksgiving again and Always Be Celebrating #ListenHearRoseAllYear
Grape-fully yours, Larry
Larry The Wine Guy 