2020 Domaine Chaume-Arnaud Vinsobres Rouge

Rich black fruits with an opulent yet chewy feel concluding long and juicy within a robust frame.

Valerie Chaume started Chaume-Arnaud when she was just 23 years old, renting 4.5 hectares of vineyards from her family. With her husband Philippe joining her in 1989, they expanded the cellar. Situated in the northern part of Cotes du Rhone villages, Vinsobres is one of the most northerly Crus in the Southern Rhone and sits at a high altitude of 400 to 450 meters, higher even than the highest vineyard in Gigondas.
The 2020 Vinsobres is made up of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault, and 10% Mourvèdre. The fruit is mainly sourced from the high plateau and south-facing stony, limestone clay soil. Hand-picked fruit is de-stemmed, crushed, and fermented using only natural yeasts, with gentle elevage for three weeks after which it is matured in concrete tanks.
Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Black raspberry and liquorice aromas rise from the glass followed by some black cherry, scorched earth, herbs du Provence and peppered meat notes. Rich black raspberry, liquorice and black cherry fruits engulf the mouth with infusions of herbs du Provence, scorched earth and pepper on the underside. Opulent yet chewy feel with a ripe sturdy tannin structure. Concludes long and juicy within a robust frame.
Drink over the next 3-4 years.
Alc. 14%

Other Reviews…..
Great freshness, purity and definition on the nose, with a rising aerial impression. Smooth tannins and a velvety, approachable style, with a shining beam of acidity running through it to the long finish. This feels authentically Vinsobres. Vineyards on pebbly clay limestone slopes, grown at 250-420m. Hand-harvested, destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts then matured for 20 months in concrete. 15% Cinsault completes and leavens the blend.
92 Points
Decanter.com