Coffee, chocolate, blackberry, spiced plum, licorice, all-spice, lavender, rosemary and white pepper.

The Rasteau comes from a prized 86-year-old vine parcel on the property. The nose has fruity scents of blackberry, baked plum and huckleberry with notes of mocha, coffee and allspice. This is a soft, subtle and engaging wine with blueberry and blackberry flavors and hints of white pepper.

Domaine des Escaravailles is a family-owned estate in the southern Rhône, in the sub-appellation of Rasteau. The domaine was established in 1953 by Jean-Louis Ferran, grandfather of Gilles Ferran, the current owner. Gilles Ferran studied oenology in Montpellier and then worked in the winery with his father, Daniel, before taking the reins in 1999. The key to the outstanding quality of the estate’s wines is the altitude of its vineyards, which are located at 800 feet. There, nighttime temperatures are significantly cooler than at sea level. The grapes retain freshness and ripen more slowly and evenly, giving complexity and balance to the finished wines. The winery’s name comes from a local word for beetle, escaravaille; it was the nickname given to the black-robed monks who at one time owned the farm and worked the vineyards. From a distance, the monks looked like beetles scurrying among the vines.

The elegant sweet, ripe flavors and silky textures of this Grenache will be delicious with lamb chops. Try our suggested recipe for Grilled Herb Crusted Lamb Chops with Scalloped Potatoes. The dried herb and deep flavors in the wine will complement the fresh herb and smoky flavors picked up from the grill. Serve with a crisp green salad on the side and a crusty loaf of bread. Of course you could enjoy the wine on its own with a piece of Emmenthaler cheese with some roasted walnuts on the side.

This old-vine Rasteau rivals the best red wines from better-known Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas.