The unique geographic location of Domaine Chaume-Arnaud and their vineyards is really what makes this wine so special. All of the vines for this blend were planted many years ago—the Grenache vines are the oldest, having been originally planted in 1927, following by the Syrah in 1956 and the Mourvèdre in 1969. These vines are producing the best fruit possible—small, tight clusters of concentrated berries, perfect for production of “La Cadene,” the estate’s most prized bottling. Each of these vineyard plots also possesses its own unique terroir. For the Grenache and Mourvèdre, the vines are planted in rocky clay and limestone; they are situated on hillsides in direct sunlight with protection from the strong Mistral winds that roar down from the north. The Syrah, on the other hand, is planted high up on a plateau at 1,300 feet elevation; the vines were purposefully planted to be vulnerable to the strong Mistral winds, to allow the Syrah to retain acidity, freshness and spice that is so quintessential to the wines of this region. Valerie and her husband, Phillipe, have farmed these vines organically since 2002 and biodynamically since 2009. Another unique aspect of this estate is that Valerie and Phillipe choose to ferment and age all of their wines in concrete vats; not even the gentle flavor of neutral oak is allowed to influence the purity of their wines. This trio of grapes, combination of unique terroirs, and commitment to natural farming and winemaking have created a truly incredible wine that expresses deeply-rich character, discernible texture and remarkable flavor.