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).

Vinsobres 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.

Established by Valerie Chaume who rented 4.5 ha of vines from her family, at the age of 23 years old Valerie created the cellar (now expanded) that has become Chaume-Arnaud when her husband Philippe joined her in 1989. Located in the northern part of the Cotes du Rhone villages not far from the famous olive growing region fo Nyons.

Until 1956, the olive trees were more numerous than the vineyard in the municipalities of Vinsobres and St Maurice but one night in February, all the olive trees perished by frost. At the time, crops were skillfully distributed between apricot, cereals, lavender, olive trees, vineyards, there was always an ovine herd; An agricultural model that has gradually got lost but which turns out to be logical nowadays. This is why, today in the field, olive trees, cereals, tomatoes are holding company in the vineyard.

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 hillside with clayey, limestone and stony soil offers us beautiful south and south-east exposures, where we grow Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah.

Our 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 exhibitions 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. Always ventilated, he gives us cooler conditions, we cultivate Syrah and white grape varieties: Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier. The fertile Eygues plain is the ideal location for grape varieties “from elsewhere”. We are experimenting with Chenin, Vermentino, Chasselas, Caladoc, Merlot and Syrah.

Our local wind: The Pontias is very important for the region of wine. Cold and dry morning wind, it is born in Nyons. In summer it refreshes the valley, it avoids morning dews often generating diseases, in spring, sometimes it protects the crops of frosts.

2022 Côtes du Rhône Le Petit Cocquet
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 24°C 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 22-23°C, 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 Livingstone-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com

2021 Côtes du Rhône
90/100, La Revue de Vin de France 2023
Made from young vines (30+ years old) from Vinsobres this could be classified as Vinsobres but they have chosen to keep these “younger vines“ in this cuvee classified as just Cotes du Rhone making this a bargain offering much greater depth than your average Cotes du Rhone. Made from 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 25% Cinsault. Based on north-east / north-west facing slopes. The soil is clayey and chalky. 30 days maceration on skins with natural yeast for fermentation and aged in concrete tank for 6 months.
Deep black colour. The nose is intense, with black fruit and spicy aromas. The tannins are silky and rounded on the palate, revealing notes of violet.
Correct red colour; there is nicely unleashed red fruit with reduction in tow on the nose, multiple raspberry prompts. The palate is nicely go-go, gives an instant offer of red berries, the tannins mild. The fruit declares well, and it’s a fun, “up” wine, w.o.w. drinking. 2026-27. Jonathon Livingstone-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com, Nov 2022

2021 Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint Maurice
91/100, La Revue de Vin de France 2023
The southern most of the estates wines made from 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre facing full south on the slopes lower than the plateau of Vinsobres on clayey calcareous and stony soil. De-stemmed crushed and fermented only with indigenous yeasts this wine sees light pigeage and maceration for 2 weeks with ageing in concrete tanks before bottling unfiltered. The nose reveals spicy dark fruits, and the mouth is composed of black olive, juniper, the final is spicy, and tannins are round and finishes fresh and long.
There is also a rarity in the shape of Saint-Maurice Villages red, an appellation with a great terroir. that includes limestone influences. It is 60% Grenache (late 1930s-late 1980s), 20% Syrah (1972), 20% Cinsault (1972) and is fresh and frank. (vat) clear red robe. The nose is discreet, promising, an air of stylish red berry, along with herbs, is well together. The palate has a limestone-chalky intro, holds clear red fruit that persists coolly. It’s good and frank, comes with a cluster of late tannin grain, cut. From mid-2023. 2029-30 Nov 2022 Jonathon Livingstone-Learmonth, drinkrhone.com

2019 Vinsobres
93/100 Coup de Coeur, La Revue de Vin de France 2023
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 and fermented only with indigenous yeasts seeing light pigeage and maceration for 3 weeks with ageing in concrete tanks. Brambly black cherry, perfumed and fresh aromatics. Intense, concentrated fruit but not heavy. Very stylish and fresh.
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 2023