Domaine Chaume-Arnaud Ctes du Rhne Le Petit Coquet 2023 (screw cap)

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

Made from younger vines around 15 yo vines planted at the bottom of limestone and stony slopes, facing south located close to the winery. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 20% Cinsault. 100% de-stemmed and given a quick cold soak with temperature kept below 24C before fermentation only with indigenous yeast. Light pigeage then tank aged for 8 days and made as a fresh bright wine for summer and for holidays. Beautiful aromas of red fruit, smooth tannins which underline the bright aromas, on the whole a very fresh perfumed and well rounded wine.

80% Grenache (mid-late 1980s) at 160-320 metres, 20% Cinsault (mid-late 1980s) from the lower levels at Vinsobres & Saint Maurice, sandy, active limestone soils, hand harvested, destemmed, 8-12 day vinification at 22-23C, a lot of cap punchings at first, pumping overs, steel & concrete vat raised 6 months, unfined, filtered, first wine 2005, aim is for a crisp and easy wine, organic, biodynamic wine, 15-25,000 b’Jonathon Livingston-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com.

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.