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.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass. The bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- 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.
- 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)
Frequently asked about Aria du Chateau de la Riviere
What does Aria du Chateau de la Riviere taste like?
On the nose, rich dark berry, black cherry, mocha, vanilla, cedar. On the palate, concentrated, jammy black fruit, chocolate-covered cherries, firm tannins, deep finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long 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.
When should I drink Aria du Chateau de la Riviere?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Aria du Chateau de la Riviere?
Beef Wellington is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Slow-roasted short rib with truffle mash and Foie gras terrine. 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.
What grapes are in Aria du Chateau de la Riviere?
The blend is Merlot (76%), Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Cabernet Franc (8%), Malbec (4%). The wine is classified as Fronsac AOC.