94/100 – PARKER

«The 2015 Cotes du Rhone Villages Arcane XVIII Le Soleil is youthfully dark in color and fruit- forward, but it also shows softening, silky tannins. It’s full bodied but not overblown, with a sensationally seductive mouthfeel. Black cherries define the fruit, joined by hints of dark chocolate and enough garrigue to give it a seriously savory character despite the fruit. This is an old-vine blend of 80% Grenache with 10% each Syrah and Mourvèdre, aged 15 months in one-third new oak, the rest in concrete or foudre. Maybe the best Côte du Rhône Villages I’ve ever tasted, it looks to have the stuffing to go another 10 years.»

93+/100 – JEB DUNNUCK

“Coming from 100-year-old Grenache vines (there’s 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre in the blend) mostly in the northern part of the Southern Rhône, the 2015 Côtes du Rhône Villages Arcane le Soleil saw 15 months in one-third each of new barrels, concrete tanks, and stainless-steel tanks. This inky colored beauty offers a terrific perfume of blueberries, scorched earth, graphite, and crushed violets. Deep, full-bodied, incredibly pure, and elegant, with silky tannin, it’s a sensational Côtes du Rhône that’s better than most Chateauneuf du Pape in the vintage. It will be better in another year or two and keep for 8-10 years.”

93/100 – JAMES SUCKLING

“This is a very composed and concentrated style with intense, fresh red-berry and cherry aromas, delivered in a concentrated, fresh and energetic style. Impressive wine. Drink or hold”