Description

1 x 2023 Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône Rouge ‘Ceps Centenaires La Mémé’

In December of 1978 Philippe Laurent and Michèle Aubéry-Laurent bought a barn and 12 hectares of old vines in Montbrison.  Their first harvest took place in 1979 with their first cuvee being the Ceps Centenaires; it became a cult wine immediately and has been ever since. The vines that it comes from are about 130 years old these days. This wine is always extraordinarily elegant, fleeting floral aromas and gorgeous, crystal pure fruit flavours fan and dance around the senses. It’s a wine that makes me wonder and also ponder – in essence though it’s a beautiful wine; graceful and very very sensual. If Grenache were Pinot Noir then this would be Gramenon’s Musigny

1 x 2021 Maxime Francois Laurent Côtes du Rhône Rouge Rubiconde

produced from old vines Grenache from vines from two parcels; one is Gramenon’s neighbour – the vines are 500m from Gramenon. The other is a parcel owned by Maxime’s Uncle. The neighbour’s vines are 40 years old and the Uncle’s are 80 year old. Hand harvested then fermented using a portion of whole bunches in concrete ‘cuve beton’. This wine was called ‘Pourpre’ until this release when he decided to change it to ‘Rubiconde’ – this reflects the fact that he feels that the wine is more red fruited than purple fruited!  As always it is very elegant with lovely grip and superb freshness. As with all Gramenon made wines the mouthfeel is superb with a lovely seamless quality. Glorious Grenache – pretty & floral – the epitome of Grenache’s elegance – this is Maxime’s La Mémé

1 x 2022 Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône Rouge ‘Belle Sortie’

is produced from old vines Grenache and Syrah from vines in nearby Taulignan, purchased in 2018 and it sort of replaces the ‘Laurentides’ in the lineup. It’s partially destemmed and then fermented in cement tank using ambient yeasts (as they all are) This wine has a darker, more mystic aroma than ‘Laurentides’ and has added a shade of garnet to the colour too. The quality of this new vineyard is evident in the wines superb pitch; it has great vibrancy and is full of charming and attractive aromas and flavours, this is a Gramenon wine and it shows – wonderful elan and a great newish addition to the range!