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Winemaker: Michel Arnaud
Of the many excellent domaines we work with in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, La Millière probably makes the most exuberant wine.
At times the wines of La Millière seem flowery, reminiscent of violets and irises. At other times, baking spices dominate, such as cinnamon and nutmeg. For a wonderful surprise, open a bottle and watch the wine evolve over the course of the evening. La Millière wines are like a kaleidoscope that constantly refracts and reforms.
All of Arnaud’s Châteauneuf vines are located in Cabrières, just below
Mont Redon. This region is blessed with the best soils of
Châteauneuf—round galet stones the size of fists, well-draining sand,
and mineral-rich limestone. Vines that have seen close to a century of
life in Châteauneuf sit north/west on Arnaud’s vineyard slopes.
Ancient too are the vines Arnaud sources for his "smaller" crus. Some of Arnaud’s oldest Grenache vines grow in his vineyards just below
Mont Redon. These 100+ year old vines produce incredibly dense fruit
that make up his finest Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône-Villages
wines.
Millière’s Merlot vineyards sit right next to his Côtes du Rhône plots. These younger vines grow on sandy, clay-based soils. This region, just north of Cabrières near Orange, is very good for vin de pays. The mistral sweeps through, keeping humidity low, while sandy soils provide good drainage. A “joli terroir de Merlot,” says Millière.
Arnaud’s life philosophy is organic—in the fields and in his kitchen,
too. He’s a very accomplished chef, and often shares his recipes with
us.