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. Starting in 2023, Danilo's son Amedeo's name now appears on the label.

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. The 2023 Thomain Enfer d’Arvier is a dark, rich, and boisterous iteration of this special wine, bearing the mark of a warm vintage in its overall heft but wearing its 14.5% alcohol gracefully and with a sense of mountainous lift. The nose is exuberant, brimming with blackberries, black cherries, hot stones, tiny flowers, and a tasteful streak of somber earthiness. The huge diurnal shifts between this zone’s scorching days—“Enfer d’Arvier,” after all, means “The Hell of Arvier”—and chilly nights expresses itself in a palate tango of rapier-like acidity and thick, luscious fruit.