Chateau d’Aqueria Tavel 2022
France’s answer to Cerasuolo? Probably the best know Tavel yeah? This is an interesting bottle, certainly better with the skirt steak than the shrimp on this plate. There’s a slightly-more-present-than-I’d-like Brett note on the nose, not enough to derail things but it was the first thing wifey picked up. Bright red and black cherry, dried herbs, a little leather/tobacco thing, backed up by intense cranberry and that waft of brettanomyces funk.
The palate is medium to medium plus in body, pleasantly ripe and way more juicy and generous than the nose would lead one to expect. Equally savory and succulent, it’s fun to drink and even better once it warms up a bit. The fruit profile is red red red, ripe and ready. I want this with grilled lamb and all the various Mediterranean accompaniments, heavily hit with fresh herbs. This bottle was $14 at Cambridge Wine & Spirits which feels like a pretty screaming deal. A fine grilling wine.
by FocusIsFragile