Xavier Vignon - Côtes du Rhône Villages Arcane Le Soleil 2015

The 2015 Côtes du Rhône Villages Arcane Le Soleil has a deep, fruity color, but it also features soft, silky tannins. It is full-bodied, but not overly so, and its palate is sensationally alluring. Black cherries define the fruit profile, complemented by notes of dark chocolate and just enough garrigue to give it a savory character despite the fruit. This is a blend from old vines consisting of 80% Grenache and 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged for 15 months in one-third new oak, with the remainder in concrete tanks or large casks. Perhaps the best Côte du Rhône Villages I’ve ever tasted, it seems to have the potential to age for another 10 years.

This is a highly structured and concentrated wine, with intense, fresh aromas of red berries and cherries that come through in a concentrated, fresh, and lively style. An impressive wine. Enjoy it now or save it for the future.

Made from century-old Grenache vines (with 10% Syrah and Mourvèdre in the blend) located primarily in the northern part of the Southern Rhône, the 2015 Côtes du Rhône Villages Arcane le Soleil spent 15 months in a mix of one-third new oak barrels, concrete tanks, and stainless steel tanks. This ink-black beauty offers a wonderful bouquet of blueberry, scorched earth, graphite, and crushed violets. Deep, full-bodied, incredibly pure, and elegant, with silky tannins, this is a sensational Côtes du Rhône that outshines most of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape from the same vintage. It will be even better in a year or two and will age well for 8 to 10 years.