Aria du Chateau de la Riviere

In the glass

Aroma: rich dark berry, black cherry, mocha, vanilla, cedar, dark chocolate

Palate: concentrated, jammy black fruit, chocolate-covered cherries, firm tannins, deep finish

The prestige selection of Chateau de la Riviere, sourced exclusively from the estate's oldest Merlot vines in a single 1.5-hectare plot and aged entirely in new French oak. Produced only in the best vintages; a luxury expression of Fronsac terroir.

What it pairs with

• Beef Wellington
  The wine's concentrated dark fruit and vanillin oak are a natural partner to duxelles-wrapped fillet; the richness of pastry is matched by Aria's full body.
• Slow-roasted short rib with truffle mash
  Collagen richness and earthy truffle resonate with Aria's mocha and cedar register.
• Foie gras terrine
  Full-body and plush fruit cushion the intense fat of foie gras; a rare Left-meets-Right pairing.

How to serve Aria du Chateau de la Riviere

Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.

1. Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
2. Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
3. Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
4. Pair with. Beef Wellington, Slow-roasted short rib with truffle mash, Foie gras terrine. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.

History

The Aria cuvee was created by the estate in 2000 as a luxury selection from the oldest Merlot vines on the 1.5-hectare plateau plot. Produced only in superior vintages with 15,000 bottles maximum, the cuvee demonstrates concentration potential from Fronsac limestone. The 100% new oak regime distinguishes it from the estate's regular cuvee.

1. 2000: First vintage of Aria produced as prestige selection from oldest vines

Facts

Producer

Chateau de la Riviere · visiting guide

Grapes

Merlot (76%), Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Malbec (4%)

Classification

Fronsac AOC

Oak

18 months in 100% new French oak barrels

ABV

14.0%

Production

15,000 bottles

Price

€65-100 at retail

Drinking window

5-20 from vintage

First vintage

2000

Frequently asked about Aria du Chateau de la Riviere

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