1 (800) 266-6585

Have you joined our mailing list? Get special offers and discounts. Click here. [ view cart ] [ check out ]

Vintners

Domaine La Millière, Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Michel Arnaud

The locals in Châteauneuf-du-Pape agree that the very best subsection of the area for Grenache is Mont Redon-Cabrières, where Domaine La Millière is located.

Of the three domaines we work with in Châteauneuf, La Millière probably makes the most exuberant wine. It’s no secret that Michel Arnaud is one of Grenache's greatest and most unapologetic champions. Certainly with a string of Grenache vintages par excellence (1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001), there’s no doubt about his status in Châteauneuf. With recent vintages such as 2003 and 2004, Arnaud is definitely at the top of the list in this southern Rhône region.

At times La Millière seems 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.

Mont Redon-Cabrières is some of the best terroir in Châteauneuf, with mostly sand mixed with small chalk pieces, classic round quartz stones and clay. Wines from these soils often age better than Châteauneuf wines with coarser tannins. Many of Arnaud’s vines are over 100 years old. He also crafts a phenomenal vin de pays made from 100% Merlot. All Millière wines age gorgeously, even the Côtes-du-Rhône that comes from a vineyard across the driveway from Arnaud’s Châteauneuf vines.

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.

QUICK FACTS:

  • Merlot VdP: Millière’s Merlot vineyards sit right next to his Côtes du Rhône plots. These eight- to 10-year-old vines grow on sandy, clay-based soils, and yield some 80 to 120 hectoliters per hectare. 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.

  • Côtes du Rhône: 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.

  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape: 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.

    • Regions where Domaine La Millière, Châteauneuf-du-Pape produces

    Wines by Domaine La Millière, Châteauneuf-du-Pape