The culmination of a long project from Xavier Vignon : the champagne blending style taken to its limits!

Various vintages from the most outstanding of recent years grown in 10 different terroirs in the southern Rhône Valley: including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rasteau, Ventoux and high altitude parcels in Côtes du Rhône Villages. 

96/100 - JEB DUNNUCK

"The NV Vin de France Arcane Le Fou is another unique wine from this incredible winemaker. This cuvée focuses on different clones of Grenache as well as just about every permitted variety out there (although it’s 85% Grenache). It has a big, sweet nose of blueberries, black cherries, lavender, and peppery incense as well as a full-bodied, layered, powerful yet seamless style on the palate. With no hard edges, silky tannins, and a big finish, it’s a singular wine (it’s mostly from vines in Châteauneuf-Du-Pape) to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years" 

This blend is the most complex and weel-honed vision of Grenache in the southern Rhône Valley.

It is difficult to speak of a single terroir, but rather a mosaic of different terroirs in which the Grenache varietal thrives. The blend is composed of 15 variations of Grenache, mainly late-ripening: rootstock variations (Rupestris du Lot, Fercal, Riparia Gloire de Montpellier, 41B), clones (old clones) and pruning systems (mainly gobelet trained vines).

Vinification 

Cold pre-fermentation maceration for three weeks in order to ensure the full integration of the aromatic components and polyphenols whilst preventing the extraction of tannins from the seeds of the grapes, followed by traditional maceration. 

Ageing 

• 1/3 in French and Austrian oak barrels
• 1/3 in truncated wooden vats
• 1/3 in concrete vats.

 

Meat pies with spinach and spices - Leg of lamb with thyme flowers - Rabbit with olives - Preparations based on summer vegetables such as ratatouille, tian, aubergines