Arcane XIX Le Soleil Grenache Blend

I thought this was a really tasty expression from the Southern Rhône from a producer I really don’t have much experience with but I’ll be sure to keep on a lookout for more.

Lemon sherbert! Sounds silly, but this was a prominent note both on the first and second night. Garrigue, some savoury meaty quality on top of the abundance of bright red fruit (particularly blackcurrant here), cocoa and liquorice. Fine tannins, some spice and enough acidity to keep the alcohol in check and the wine fresh. Seductive. Rich. Totally absorbing. Really, really enjoyable and certainly as good as CDRV gets. Very difficult deciding between a 93 and 94 point rating, but in the end - though comparisons can quite easily be drawn between this and a CDP - it finishes a touch short and lacks the latter’s intensity in the best examples. But, remember, this is a ‘basic’ Rhône wine and as such it is superb, and will benefit from another five to ten years’ ageing.

Deep ruby, with crisp acidity, high alcohol and medium silky tannins. Full bodied, with black cherry, cooked raspberry, forest floor, garrigue, black plum, licorice and grilled meat. This is 80% Grenache and 10% each Syrah and Mourvèdre. Just a bit of oak smoke to keep it well-rounded. Best of all it has the depth and vibrancy to age another five to 10 years. Beautifully crafted wine.

Deep ruby, with crisp acidity, high alcohol and medium silky tannins. Full bodied, with black cherry, cooked raspberry, forest floor, garrigue, black plum, licorice and grilled meat. This is 80% Grenache and 10% each Syrah and Mourvèdre. Just a bit of oak smoke to keep it well-rounded. Best of all it has the depth and vibrancy to age another five to 10 years. Beautifully crafted wine.

Vintage 2015 80 Grenache 10 Mourvèdre 10 Syrah Complete harmony, long aftertaste. Morello cherries.

$35

Second tasting and still as much pleasure. Deep ruby color, with a beautiful shine. The nose is greedy, on the fruits, between juice and jam, black cherry, plum, blackberries, strawberry. Spicy and roasted notes typical of southern wines, chocolate, pepper, thyme and aromates, smoky touch. The mouth is soft, beautiful texture. Greedy and balanced with volume and flexibility. The 15 degrees are absolutely not felt. Nice finish on black fruits and licorice. To have in his cellar absolutely.

Deuxième dégustation et toujours autant de plaisir. Robe rubis profonde, au bel éclat. Le nez est gourmand, sur les fruits, entre jus et confiture, cerise noire, prune, mûres, fraise. Notes épicées et torréfiées typique des vins du sud, chocolat, poivre, thym et aromates, touche fumé. La bouche est moelleuse, belle texture. Très gourmand et équilibré avec du volume et de la souplesse. Les 15 degrés ne se font absolument pas sentir. Très belle finale sur les fruits noirs et réglisse. A avoir dans sa cave absolument.

With 6 years of cellaring, its dark color is still bright and youthful. The nose announces an intense wine. The texture in the mouth is both full-bodied and very supple. Fruity juicy black cherries. Character notes: thyme, garrigue, liquorice, coffee mixed with evolution notes: musk, mushroom. Molten breeding. It’s really superb! A complete wine, ready to drink, this CDR Village still has enough to withstand several years of aging.

Avec 6 ans de garde sa robe sombre est encore sur la jeunesse. Le nez annonce un vin intense. La texture en bouche est à la fois corsée et d’une grande souplesse. Fruité cerise noire juteuses. Notes de caractère: thym, garrigue, réglisse, café mêlées aux notes d’évolution: musk, champignon. Élevage fondu, c’est vraiment superbe! Un vin complet, prêt à boire, ce superbe CDR Village a encore de quoi supporter plusieurs années de garde.

The old vines yielded an abundant if not luscious dark fruit, silky tannins, and delightful value wine. Benefits from altitude of vines and a patient winemaker before bottling. This is that under $30 wine that you want in quantity in your box. Buy it now. Thank me later.

Another wine from Xavier Vignon. Very dry, low acidity. A dry cherry, dark chocolate, other earthy notes.