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The wines > Vinsobres

• CAVE LA VINSOBRAISE
  

  LVT 2007 r Improving wines at a well-run Co-operative, that accounts for 70%+ of all Vinsobres. Wine names are being changed, and there is a wide selection of them, so life is not straightforward for buyers.

• CHÂTEAU DE ROUANNE
  

  LVT 2009 r 2008 wh This is a good, reliable name at Vinsobres. It is a domaine with extensive vineyards that started to bottle a small proportion of its wine in 1998. Most of its wine is still sold in bulk. It was a property mainly growing olives when bought in 1960, and still makes its own Virgin Olive Oil. The wines come in a solid shape, and can show full, robust qualities.

• DOMAINE AUTRAND
  

  LVT 2009 r Soft, fruited wines, especially the Côtes du Rhône. Vinsobres can be heady

• DOMAINE CHAUME-ARNAUD
  

  LVT 2010 r 2010 wh The wines are happily starting to be made in a more tender fashion, having been rather extracted in previous years. Husband Philippe is vinifying now, and since 1999, the cellar equipment has been more up-to-date than it used to be. The domaine is due to be registered as organic from 2006. The white Côtes du Rhône Villages can give pleasure. This is a domaine whose early promise is being delivered, with good fruit and stylish drinking from the Villages and Vinsobres wines.

• DOMAINE CONSTANT-DUQUESNOY
  

  LVT 2009 r A Belgian newcomer to Vinsobres. Gérard Constant still works a little in the Theme Park business, and spreads his time between Belgium (80% of the exports) and the Rhône. The wines are very well grounded, with enough body to be interesting, beyond their stylish outer casing. Fashionable adviser Philippe Cambie was hired in 2008.

• DOMAINE COSTE CHABRIER
  

  LVT 2009 r Improvement since an uneven debut in early 2000s

• DOMAINE DE DEURRE
  

  LVT 2009 r 2009 wh A good, country domaine that makes Vinsobres and St-Maurice Côtes du Rhône Villages. Hubert Valayer is also a supplier of truffles, the Tuber Melanosporum. The domaine also provides accommodation.

• DOMAINE DE LA PÉQUÉLETTE
  

  LVT 2006 r This keen young man and his wife left the Co-operative La Vinsobraise in 2005, and started to make their own wine in that year. His yields are restrained - 25 hl/ha for the Vinsobres and 35 hl/ha for the Côtes du Rhône. Hand-made wines here. In 2009 he is officially organic. Cédric also has truffle and olive trees.

• DOMAINE DU CORIANÇON
  

  LVT 2009 r Solid style of wine from a good, reliable name. Now biodynamic. 40% of the production is bottled.

• DOMAINE DU MOULIN
  

  LVT 2008 r 2010 wh Traditional, STGT domaine, natural winemaking by low-key growers. Very clear fruit, these are quality wines that are understated and refined. Up to 55% is sold in bottle (down from 65% in mid-2000s), the rest in local cubitainers.

• DOMAINE DU TAVE
  

  LVT 2009 r Recent start-up, questions to answer

• DOMAINE JAUME
  

  LVT 2009 r 2010 wh 2008 rosé Progressive domaine that were trendsetters when I first met them in the early 1970s. Claude and Nicole Jaume had moved towards a clear fruit extraction long before their neighbours. The wines are modern but full, and age well. It is advisable to cellar the main two Vinsobres for 4-5 years to allow a fruit-oak integration. The straight Côtes du Rhône La Friande red is a great tooting wine, fruit forward in style.

• DOMAINE LE PRÉ NEUF
  

  LVT 2007 r rosé A grower in his twenties who took back the family vineyards from their rental agreement with a Co-operateur, and made his first wine in 2005. He has also been involved in a vineyard planting project in Lebanon, and is keen on the Syrah, having worked with it at Yann Chave`s Crozes-Hermitage domaine. He has started with a good vintage. The 2006 also shows promsie.

• DOMAINE L`ANCIENNE ÉCOLE
  

  LVT 2009 r An English couple. Also have holiday gites. Traditional style wine.

• DOMAINE PEYSSON
  

  LVT 2007 r Jean-Luc Peysson is the fourth generation on the family vineyard. Previously the wine was sold off in bulk to merchants. Since 2001 he has started to bottle a proportion. The Vinsobres red is hearty and uncomplicated. The Peyssons also produce Nyons olive oil from the Tanche variety.

• FAMILLE PERRIN (PERRIN and FILS until 2009)
  

  LVT 2009 r Vinsobres was brought into the Perrin of Beaucastel stable from 2000. The ex-Domaine de Gramenon vineyard supplies the Hauts de Julien from terraces behind the farm there. The Bicarelle vineyards are also mature, and this is now an important address for good Vinsobres. The style is for ripe wine with plenty of content and good, streamlined fruit. Oaking is light.