About Xavier Vignon

 

Using a combination of skills, Xavier Vignon has established himself as both a merchant and winemaker. Since 2002, Xavier has worked as a negociant, gathering the very best grapes produced by top growers to make his own Xavier Vins line. He’s also an oenologist, which means he has the knowledge and experience needed to navigate vineyards and produce high-quality wines of different varieties. He produced his first Xavier Vins vintage in 2007. Today, they continue to produce their wines at Chateau Husson in Courthezon, France. In addition to producing wines in the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation, he also creates wines in Gigondas and villages in the Cotes du Rhone. Xavier Vins make three lines of Châteauneuf du Pape reds and two lines of Châteauneuf du Pape whites. Xavier also works as a consultant to a number of makers throughout the Rhone Valley. He owns 24 grape harvests around the globe and maintains close connections and friendships within the wine industry.

History

 

Xavier finished enology schooling in the late ’80s at the University of Montpellier. He then went on to work for a number of wineries and vineyards around the world, including Saint-Emilion, Alsace, Napa Valley, New Zealand, and Australia. By the time Xavier settled in the Rhone Valley in the ’90s, he was an extremely experienced oenologist. He started working at Avignon Oenology Counsel as a leading oenologist. When the lab was sold in 2009, Xavier went on to work on his own brand. Today, he still works as an oenological advisor along with creating exciting new releases for his brand, Xavier Vins.

Wines

 

Xavier uses his extensive knowledge and experience to produce extremely elegant and collection-worthy wines. The 2007 Xavier Vins Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée Anonyme X is a prime example of his expertise and craftsmanship. This amazing wine was aged for three years in large and small oak barrels. It has a deep purple color and displays aromas of licorice, underbrush, garrigue, black currants, and blackberries. It’s full-bodied with a thick texture and vibrant complexity. This 2007 should age well for the next eight years. Next, the Xavier Vins Chateauneuf du Pape La Reserve VII IX X is a non-vintage wine that offers aromatic notes of raspberries, blackberries, licorice, gingerbread, and flowers. It provides a well-rounded texture and maintains a wonderful freshness. This extremely complex wine will age well for up to 20 years.

The 2010 Xavier Vins Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée Anonyme X displays the full range of the Châteauneuf du Pape. It contains notes of roasted spices and dark fruit. Bold tannins allow for this wine to be enjoyed now, but it will age gracefully. It also provides a nice salinity and minerality. This is a perfect wine to pair with veal, duck, and figs. Finally, the 2014 Xavier Vins Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée Anonyme Blanc is a blend of 50% Roussanne, 40% Grenache Blanc, and 10% Clairette. This is an extremely delicate wine with a light golden color and gentle aromatic notes of honeycomb, melon, figs, stone mineral, and jasmine. This white is very smooth on the palate with a light to medium body. It displays a subtle acidity that leads to a mild finish.

Meta: Xavier Vignon has established himself as both an oenological advisor and experienced winemaker. Learn more about him and his Xavier Vins brand of wines.