Domaine Chaume Arnaud Cotes du Rhone Villages Vinsobres, 2004

Vinsobres is located only 13 kilometers to the southeast of Valreas, but the wine produced from this Cotes du Rhone village has a personality substantially different from that of Valreas. Typical of its appellation, Chaume-Arnaud's 2004 is very deep and dark, almost purplish. But unlike many wines of this hue, it has been raised in tank and has not seen new oak. The nose is muted at first; the scents of purple flowers and red cherries are very deep and require considerable swirling to emerge. Flavors are the same--very deep and concentrated but still hiding behind firm tannins on the mid-palate. The finish is very long and ripe, giving promise of a fine future.

I like Chaume-Arnaud's wines, and I like Vinsobres as an appellation. On the surface, they are indeed sober wines, and that's why they are often under-rated and consumed too early.