Wines of France / Southern Rhône / Rasteau and Cairanne / Domaine des Coteaux des Travers

Domaine des Coteaux des Travers - Rasteau and Cairanne

Rasteau, Vaucluse
Charavin is a common name in Rasteau, and there are 4 wine producers who carry it. Domaine des Coteaux de Travers (literally “domaine of the slopes on the side of the rising sun”) is owned by one of those Charavins—Robert. Its history dates back to Robert's grandfather Elie, who began cultivating the vines in 1931. 

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Following the Second World War, the domaine expanded greatly. Robert Sr. took over in 1955 and, in 1976, sold his first wines in bottle. Robert Jr. took over the domaine in 1985. Today there are 14 hectares total: 10 in Rasteau and 4 more recently added in neighboring Cairanne. In Rasteau, the soil is particularly rich in clay with an exceptionally sloped southern exposure. The vineyard soil in Cairanne is divided between sandy, clay and garrigue soils (rich in iron which give it a red color).

Rasteau Sunset

Robert Charavin standing by his vines

Robert began giving up weed-killers and synthetic sprays around 2008 and since 2012, has been certified biodynamic by Demeter.  Charavin works rigorously in the vineyard plows between his rows of vines to encourage healthy underground life.

Leaf plucking and a small green harvest to limit yields and maximize concentration have become the norm. Harvest is normally in early September and is done entirely by hand, with any bad grapes being left on the ground.  After that, a sorting table manned by ten people make sure that only grapes of exceptional quality make it into the tanks.

Domaine des Coteaux des Travers Cairanne “Terra Rosea”
This is a newer bottling for Charavin, coming from 50-70 year-old Grenache and 20-30 year-old Mourvèdre (plus some Syrah in certain vintages) grown on sandy, red clay, garrigue stone-covered soils. The grapes are destemmed, then undergo a 24-30 day vinification, with daily punchdowns. It is aged in large oak casks for 8-10 months, then concrete vats for 3-6 months, and is bottled unfined and unfiltered. This is a lush, velvety wine with aromas of red berries and dark chocolate is a real palate pleaser.

Domaine des Coteaux des Travers Rasteau “La Mondona”
From the domaine’s Rasteau vineyards on clay-limestone soils with south- and southwestern-facing orientation, this wine is 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre. These vines are all around 40-60 years old with a low yield of 30 hl/ha. Grapes are 90% destemmed, and undergo a long fermentation with daily punchdowns. The wine is then aged in large wooden and concrete vats for a year.  Cherry-red sheen, with aromas of brandied cherries and wild plum jam. On the palate it is unctuous and full-bodied, silky with hints of strawberry and raspberry jam. A perfect accompaniment to wild boar, beef ribs, rack of lamb or partridge with olive sauce.

Domaine des Coteaux des Travers Rasteau “Les Travès”
From the domaine’s Rasteau vineyards on clay-limestone soils with south- and southwestern-facing orientation, this wine is a blend (percentages depend on the vintage) of Grenache and Syrah. These vines are all around 40-60 years old with a low yield of 30 hl/ha. Grapes are 100% destemmed, and undergo a long fermentation with daily punchdowns. The wine is then aged in large concrete vats for 8-10 months. Cherry-red sheen, with raspberry aromas. On the palate it is smooth and full-bodied, with hints of violet and candied pomegranate. A perfect accompaniment to beef, calf liver pie or mushroom fricassee.

The Domaine des Coteaux des Travers ZouZou
​ is made from 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre. It was borne of the idea to create a new range to truly differentiate the family's Côtes du Rhônes from the Coteaux des Travers range of wines. The label drawing is an original and  ZouZou (literally, "a jovial, dynamic person who is always fun to be around") is the nickname of Paul's best friend. In homage to him, they decided to craft a lighter and fruitier wine using carbonic maceration, and
fermented and aged in concrete vats. Minimal-to-no sulfur is added, and then it is bottled early in order to preserve its naturally fresh fruit. It is full of velvety blueberry fruit with spice and low tannin, an eminently drinkable red wine.