THE estate's cuvée, it represents 50% of production, a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault and 10% Mourvèdre 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.
‘A superb nose with notes of cherry blossom, raspberry and redcurrant coulis. This wine is intense without being heavy. It awakens a feeling of great purity. its fruit is bright, the acidity and tannins are very fine. ready to drink, it is precise and concentrated and gathers around a refreshing balsamic note.' 94 points, Decanter magazine, 2023.
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 Drôme department, in la Vallée de l’Eygues. 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, Mourvèdre 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.