Xavier Vignon : Arcane Le Bateleur NV

Xavier Vignon reveals a silky Rasteau wine with a rich aromatic palette

The estate

For over twenty years, the exceptional winegrower, Xavier Vignon, has been considered one of the finest experts in the Southern Rhône Valley. After studying oenology in Montpellier, Xavier Vignon travelled around the French and Australian vineyards. A great lover of the Rhône Valley, he began working in an oenology laboratory in the Vaucluse in 1996. Since 2016, Xavier Vignon has fully devoted himself to the creation of his own wines. A lover of great terroirs and grape varieties, Xavier Vignon vinifies and blends vintages that stand out due to their unique style.

The vineyard

Arcane Le Bateleur NV by Xavier Vignon is a Rasteau wine made from south-facing vineyards. The soil is covered with pebbles and rests upon clay-limestone subsoils in some parts.

The plots dedicated to the production of this wine are located in the foothills of the Ratanaud massif, at an altitude of 350 metres at the foot of the village of Rasteau.

The vintages

This Southern Rhône Valley wine comprises three vintages, each possessing unique characteristics that give this wine a unique signature style:

The 2017 vintage makes up 20% of the final blend. It lends its concentration.

The 2019 vintage represents 45% of the final blend and provides a light-filled and spicy feel.

Lastly, the 2020 vintage makes up 35% of the final blend and seduces the palate with its finesse, its fruity structure and its freshness.

Vinification and ageing

Throughout the major stages of the vinification and ageing processes, each vintage and each grape variety reveals its unique features.

While the 2017 Grenache underwent cold pre-fermentation maceration and then a half-density pressing, the 2019 and 2020 vintages had a long fermentation without mechanical extraction.

The 2017 and 2020 Syrah grapes were vinified traditionally, while vinification and ageing in wooden truncated cone vats for 24 months was carried out for the 2019 vintage.

Regarding the 2019 and 2020 vintages, the Mourvèdre varietal was co-fermented with part of the Grenache grapes before being aged for 24 months in concrete vats.

Stemming from the 2019 vintage, the Carignan underwent carbonic maceration before ageing in Wine Globe enclosed in wooden casks.

The blend

Grenache (60%),
Syrah (20%)
Mourvèdre (10%)
Carignan (10%)

Arcane Le Bateleur NV by Xavier Vignon: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour
This purple and brilliant wine is adorned with subtle ruby highlights.

Nose
The expressive nose gives off intense aromas of black fruits.

Palate
The palate opens with notes of sweet spices and incense reminiscent of cade wood. The seductive and persistent finish exhibits a fruity structure (red berries, redcurrant) and a silky mouthfeel.

Service

For an optimal tasting, serve between 15 and 17°C.

Food and wine pairing

An aubergine flan or a pan-fried duck breast with pineapple will complement this Rhône Valley wine.

Cellaring

This Rasteau wine can be cellared until around 2040 to reveal all its aromatic richness.