LVT 2015 r 2015 wh 2015 rosé Improving wines at a well-run Co-operative, that accounts for 70%+ of all Vinsobres. It has links with the Cellier des Dauphins at Tulette. 50 members, working 250 hectares of Vinsobres. For many a holding of around 6 hectares is common, with 15 ha a large vineyard. The rest – 450 hectares – is Côtes du Rhône, with some Vin de Pays. Wine names are being changed, and there is a wide selection of them, so life is not straightforward for buyers. Vinsobres Diamant Noir the best red, with, from 2011, a new line of organic wines that is interesting - the Vinsobres Origine red and the Côtes du Rhône Terre de Jadis red. The Côtes du Rhône Cuvée La Delphinale red comes from Co-operateurs at Mirabel-les-Baronnies & Piégon, with vineyards at altitude, and the 2015 was a **** wine
LVT 2010 r 2011 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.
LVT 2011 r Soft, fruited wines, especially the Côtes du Rhône. Vinsobres can be heady and overdone
LVT 2014 r 2013 wh 2012 rosé The wines are happily starting to be made in a more tender fashion, having been rather extracted in previous years. Husband Philippe [pictured] is vinifying now, and since 1999, the cellar equipment has been more up-to-date than it used to be. The domaine has been organic since 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.
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.
LVT 2009 r Improvement since an uneven debut in early 2000s
LVT 2011 r 2012 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.
LVT 2012 r Biodynamic domaine. This keen young man, the fifth generation, 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 - 20-25 hl/ha for the Vinsobres and 35 hl/ha for the Côtes du Rhône. Hand-made wines that represent the best biodynamic clarity here. Cédric also has truffle and olive trees.
LVT 2014 r 2015 wh 2015 rosé Traditional, STGT domaine, natural winemaking by low-key growers, with son Charles [pictured] now taking a prominent role; his younger brother Joseph is in charge of the vineyard. 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.
LVT 2009 r Recent start-up, questions to answer
LVT 2015 r 2015 wh 2015 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.
LVT 2007 r rosé A grower in his early thirties who took back the family vineyards from their rental agreement with a Co-operateur, and made his first wine in 2005. Unfortunately he found it very difficult to juggle all the commitments of the domaine and the selling of his wine, so Romain returned to the Cave La Vinsobraise in the late 2000s. 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 started with a good vintage. The 2006 also shows promsie.
LVT 2012 r 2015 rosé An English couple. Also have holiday gites. Traditional style wine, with improvement on the cards. The 2015 Cotes du Rhône rosé Carpe Diem was above average, a good table wine.
LVT 2014 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 2014 Côtes du Rhône Bio & Élégant red was an agreeable ***(*) wine. There is an organic certificiate for the domaine. Nyons olive oil is also made from the Tanche variety.
LVT 2013 r Big change in 2012, when sold by the Durma family, owners since the 1920s. The new owner has a company at Nyons
LVT 2014 r 2011 wh Solid style of wine from a good, reliable name. Now biodynamic. 40% of the production is bottled. The fruit quality is usually high. The domaine title changed to Vallot Le Coriançon in the early 2010s.
LVT 2016 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.
LVT 2010 r Biodynamic vineyards give this purchased wine. Emmanuel Poulet makes a very good Clairette de Die. This is a good Vinsobres, made in limited quantities.