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.
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, it is the reference wine showing what Fronsac can achieve at maximum concentration. The 100% new oak regime distinguishes it from the estate's regular cuvee.
- 2000 — First vintage of Aria produced as prestige selection from oldest vines
Facts
- Producer
- Chateau de la Riviere
- 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
Scores
- James Suckling 93 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)