Domaine Chaume-Arnaud Vinsobres 2020

Description

Certified Organic + Bio-dynamic (2009)Variety:60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvdre, 10% CinsaultCountry Region: France, Southern Rhne ValleyAppellation:Vinsobres

Chaume Arnaud’s flagship cuve. Representing 50% of production, it’s a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Mourvdre mostly from the high plateau and also from south-facing stony, limestone clayey terroir. De-stemmed and crushed then fermented only with indigenous yeasts and given only light pigeage and maceration for 3 weeks with ageing in concrete tanks before bottling un-fined and unfiltered.

quite a dark red colour; the nose has a crushed raspberry, a near liqueur style air, sweetness inside, is inviting, shows the South, a hint of black olives. The palate has a soaked red fruits flavour, squeezy tannin attached, is aromatic, almost plush, gourmand on skates, shows Syrah influences, fine tannins inside, extends gently, bears rolling appeal, is genuine Southern wine, good to drink now, will run on. 14. 60% Gren, 20% Syr, 10% Cins, 10% Mourv. 2032-33 Feb 2024‘ John Livingstone-Learmonth, Drinkrhone, Feb 2024.

Domaine Chaume Arnaud

Vinsobres is the most Northerly of the Crus in the Southern Rhone and one of the highest at 400 to 450 metres (higher than the highest vinyeard in Gigondas).

It benefits not only from the ‘Mistral’ (from the North) but also the Pontias which blows from the East, and from the pre-Alps. Organic since 1997 and biodynamic since 2003.

“We first experimented with biodynamic preparations on problem plots and, given the improvements observed, we generalized the approach to the entire area. Over the years, we have noticed that not only are our soils more alive, but our vines are more vigorous and our wines have evolved towards a more harmonious balance.”

The municipalities of Vinsobres and St Maurice are located in the south of the Drme department, in la Valle de lEygues. They look at the north face of Mont Ventoux. The climate is of the Mediterranean type, conducive to the cultivation of the vine and the olive tree. The hillsides with clayey, limestone and stony soil offer beautiful south and south-east exposures, where Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvdre and Syrah are grown.

The plots are well grouped around the farm which facilitates biodynamic work. 38 ha of vines spread over the municipalities of Vinsobres and St Maurice sur Eygues. A magnificent terroir with limestone and stony clay soil with beautiful expositions to the south, opposite Mont Ventoux. The plateau of Vinsobres at more than 400m altitude is more clay and very stony. This extra altitude brings notable freshness throughout the growing season.