2019 Domaine de L'Arnesque 'Plan de Dieu' Cotes de Rhone Villages

Winemaker Notes:  Plan de Dieu, since 2005, is a designated area within the appellation of Côtes du Rhône Villages (the best of Côtes du Rhône). Arnesque's is a blend of 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah & 5% Carignan all de-stemmed. The average age of the vines is 36 years planted in clay, limestone and garrigue soil. Grenache the preeminent red wine grape of the Southern Rhône, makes full-bodied, red-fruited wine. It enjoys very dry, hot and windy conditions but the vines produce scant fruit which means great concentration. The Syrah provides structure, savoriness and black fruit, while the touch of Carignan adds tannin and acidity.

Fermentation is 21 days in concrete tanks with cap punching. Aged one year in concrete tanks. Mild temperatures with lots of rain in the winter and spring plus reduced mistral winds equals high incidence of mildew and decreased yields, particularly for Grenache. But a hot summer and idyllic harvest season with well-stocked water tables meant conscientious farmers could wait patiently for properly ripened grapes.