Thomain Enfer d'Arvier Valle D'Aosta 2020

Enfer d’Arvier is a traditional wine made from the Petit Rouge grape and vinified in cuve, it has a compelling rusticity with a wild berry impression and a lively freshness on the palate. 

Appellation: DOP Enfer d'Arvier

Grapes: 90% Petit Rouge, 10% Pinot Noir, Gamay, Gamaret

From steeply terraced, south-facing vineyards in a natural ampitheatre overlooking the Dora Baltea. 35-40yr old vines. Manual harvest, late October.

Spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass and stainless-steel tanks, about 2 weeks. Aged about 9 months, on lees. Unfined and unfiltered.

In the glass: "An essay in extremes, Danilo's Enfer d'Arvier is both bracing in its freshness and intense in its concentration. Rapier-like acidity pulls firmly at the reins of muscular, thickly luscious fruit gained from the blistering heat of these perfectly angled vineyards that absorb under full sun, and the wine is indeed never deficient in ripeness."

About the producer:

The vineyards of the Enfer d’Arvier appellation are situated in an amphitheater-shaped site on steep slopes in a high-altitude valley, which receives ample sun. The shape of this “bowl” of vineyards effectively concentrates the heat of the sun, thus giving birth to the “hell of Arvier” moniker. Danilo Thomain is the only independent vigneron working this tiny appellation only five hectares in size. The Thomain family works one hectare of vineyards here in the shadow of Mont Blanc.