2015 Arcane XV Le Diable
Buying options
Tasting Notes
Le Diable - “the devil’s wine” – is a 100% Mourvèdre from a new range based on Tarot cards. Keep your eyes peeled for Le Pape, a 100% Grenache, which will follow this release in late 2017. Grapes come from 17 parcels of roughly 100-year-old vines across many appellations, which include some in Châteauneuf-du-Pape hence being a Vin de France rather than a Côtes de Rhône. Intense nose, lots of depth, lovely spice and perfumed complexity. Fresh vibrant palate with a long, gamey, creamy and chocolatey finish.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
There are two slightly eccentric wines from this estate that merit serious attention. Almost 100% Mourvèdre from a parcel close to Vinsobres, the sensational 2015 Vin de France Arcane XV Le Diable had a three-week maceration (Xavier prefers to get as much extraction as possible before alcoholic fermentation), and was aged mostly in small oak tanks and concrete. Blueberries, blackberries, peppery herbs and spice all flow from this layered, full-bodied beauty that has awesome purity, integrated acidity and plenty of structure. Give bottles 2-3 years and drink over the following 10-15 years.
There are two slightly eccentric wines from this estate that merit serious attention. Almost 100% Mourvèdre from a parcel close to Vinsobres, the sensational 2015 Vin de France Arcane XV Le Diable had a three-week maceration (Xavier prefers to get as much extraction as possible before alcoholic fermentation), and was aged mostly in small oak tanks and concrete. Blueberries, blackberries, peppery herbs and spice all flow from this layered, full-bodied beauty that has awesome purity, integrated acidity and plenty of structure. Give bottles 2-3 years and drink over the following 10-15 years.
About the producer
Xavier Vignon has become one of the Rhône Valley’s most accomplished winemakers. Despite not owning his own vineyards, Vignon’s experience consulting for over 500 different vignerons in the region has given him incredible access to some of the Rhône’s finest terroirs.