Chaume-Arnaud
Vinsobres, Rhone Valley
Domaine Chaume-Arnaud, Vinsobres Valérie Chaume−Arnaud and Philippe Chaume
Valérie and her husband Philippe own 33 ha in Vinsobres and 6 ha in Cotes du Rhone Village Massif d’Uchaux and Saint-Maurice. The domaine is certified biodynamic and is made up principally of Grenache (60%); Syrah (20%) with some very old vine Cinsault, Carignan and Mourvedre (10%) plus Viognier and Marsanne (10%). Vines average 30 years old, going up to 65 for the Carignan in the Vinsobres cuvée. Yields are kept low, all soil treatments are organic, grapes are all harvested by hand, and then de-stemmed and fermented with natural yeasts. Aging occurs in concrete tanks.
Chaume-Arnaud began with a family-owned estate that grew grapes for many generations. For decades the Chaume family historically sold their entire crop to the local cooperative. In 1996, Valérie Chaume struck out on her own and in 1999, together with her husband, Philippe, began to make their own wine. Philippe tends the vineyards; Valerie makes the wine.
- Calcareous soils of clay and Gravel on the best exposed slopes from St. Maurice to Vinsobres
- High elevation, old vines, low yields, cooling breezes
- Minimal intervention both in the vineyard and in the cellar
Valerie and Philippe produce several wines: Marselan IGP, Cote du Rhone, “La Coquette,” Vinsobres, Vinsobres “La Cadène”( from the best parcels with 60-years-old Grenache and 50-years-old Syrah and sometimes some Mourvedre); Cotes du Rhone Village Massif d’Uchaux Granges Rouge, Cotes du Rhone Village Saint-Maurice, Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Blanc “La Cadène.”
The wines are characterized by freshness, intensity, and purity of fruit with balanced bright acidity, clean terroir expression and silky soft tannins.
Integrity Wines is proud to be currently importing the following wines. Others are available upon request.
Marselan (IGP Portes de Mediterranee)
- 100% Marselan, a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache
Cote du Rhone, “La Petite Coquet”
- 80% Grenache, 20% Cinsault
Vinsobres
- 60% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre and 10% Carignan (65-years-old)/Cinsault.
- Aged in tank for at least a year.
- The nose is fresh with notes of plums and cedar. Licorice on the palate with spicy aromas. The finish is fresh, elegant with smooth tannins.
Cote du Rhone Blanc “La Cadene”
- 50% Marsanne, 50% Viognier
- On the nose, tropical fruit aromas (litchi, ripe mango) mingle with scents of verbena and lime blossom. Star anise and spices on the palate, with a white peppery note to finish.
- Case Production: 300
The Vinsobres AOC
Vinsobres recently earned its separate AOC distinction in 2005, previously falling under the Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Vinsobres appellation.
- 450 hectares
- Northern stretch of the Southern Rhône.
- Higher altitudes, cooler climates
- Rocky and sandy soils on its hillsides, and quaternary rocky, alluvial soils on its terraces, with lots of galets roulés, much like Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It is protected from the Mistral wind thanks to the nearby mountains.
