Domaine de L’Arnesque - Genius in a Bottle

Sebastian Pathier (pictured) is the owner, winemaker and chief viticulturalist of Domaine L’Arnesque and he will be, choosing my words very carefully here, one of the greatest winemakers in the region in years to come.

By that stage, most of won’t be able to afford them but it’s okay, the allocations will be so small we’ll never be offered any to buy!

This is the second vintage of the wines we have brought into the UK – I wasn’t sure they could top the 09s but the 2010 reds are breathtakingly good and my advice, by big and buy large!

Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2011

Although delicate, and detailed this isvibrant, thrilling stuff showing gorgeous white blossom florality,  a real explosion of yellow fruits and honey-suckle and finishing with an atypical touch of salinity. This bloody gorgeous wine!

Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2010

This follows on from the excellent 2009. Similarly styled but with even more lift and freshness than before! Pure blue and purple fruits, a touch of spice, supple tannins and really aromatic from nose to tail. This delivers big time.

Cotes du Rhone Villages “Plan de Dieu” Rouge 2010

A true “baby” Chateauneuf du Pape.  Beautifully soft and fresh in the mouth with concentrated layers of rich black/purple fruit that building in intensity on the palate before exploding into a delight of spice, herbs and licorice. It’s fresh and pure too and carefully held together with an intricate, ripe tannic  structure.

Chateauneuf du Pape “Cuvée Capellane” Rouge 2010

If the “Plan de Dieu” is the “baby” this is most assuredly the daddy! What strikes you first is the intense purity of Grenache fruit, followed by the sensual texture and relaxed inviting feel of the wine in the mouth.  After that it turns into a wrecking ball of joy, smashing perceptions of how much flavour can be packed into a wine and yet still retain precision, detail and focus. Even in a great vintage like 2010 this remarkable winemaking.

For pricing and additional information please contact your local sales manager by phone or email, or call Maria Snelling on 01865 263 308