Domaine Gramenon is one of the most respected producers in the Rhône. In his book on the wines of the Rhône valley, Robert Parker classified Gramenon in the same category as Beaucastel and Fonsalette. In 1998, owner Phillipe Laurent nearly doubled the area of his vineyards by purchasing some 50 acres in Vinsobres. A year later, he died in a tragic accident and his wife decided to sell some 35 acres the Perrin brothers at Beaucastel.
Michelle Aubery-Laurent and her son Maxim-François continue to make wines in a pretty natural way, with sulphur dioxide used just at assemblage. Their vineyards are farmed organically, and they never filter or fine their wines.
Their wines are not very well known in the United States as they are available on a limited basis. I found Gramenon’s wines through Kermit Lynch’s newsletter. He described them as a pure expression of biodynamically farmed, old vine Grenache with knock-out fruit flavors tempered by a core of strong minerality. Some might not want to pay $30 for a bottle of Côtes du Rhône, but I was able to pick up a sampler pack of their wine from Kermit Lynch at 25% off and each one of the wines has been a winner.
The Sierra du Sud is 100% Syrah, half aged for seven months in old oak. Very deep, dark inky ruby in color. Bright aromatics with a mash of red and dark fruit (cherry, blackberry) with some meat and red licorice. On the palate, completely seductive — approachable, beautiful ripe fruit, broad and expansive, smooth, great balance — and in no way overdone. Cherry, raspberry with pomegranate and plum, bacon and a little black olive, earth and bubble gum. They should only be allowed to bottle this in magnums and larger formats — it’s nothing short of spectacular. Highly recommended. 14% alcohol. Imported by Kermit Lynch.
La Sagesse was my favorite of the 2007s from Gramenon, but this is just as good (and perhaps even better). The wines from Gramenon along with the Escaravailles Les Sablieres and Domain Richaud Terres de Galets are my favorite Côtes du Rhônes from the ‘07 vintage.
Favorites from Côtes du Rhône 2007
Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud
Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône
Domaine Gramenon Les Laurentides Côtes du Rhône
Les Aphillanthes Côtes du Rhône
Domaine Richaud Côtes du Rhône-Villages-Cairanne
Domaine Richaud Côtes du Rhône Terres de Galets
Escaravailles Côtes du Rhône
[...] 29, 2009 by tomdelorme I poured this the same night as the Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud 2007. I thought both of the wines were brilliant — and while I might give a slight nod to the [...]
[...] wines from Domaine Gramenon: Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud 2007 Domaine Gramenon Les Laurentides Côtes du Rhône [...]
[...] wines from Domaine Gramenon: Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud 2007 Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône [...]
[...] September 20, 2009 by tomdelorme The big event was yesterday. After the rehearsal dinner on Friday, my best friend and best man Jon from California came over to continue our our epic cribbage battle that started some 20 years ago — and I wanted to pull out some wines to mark a very special occasion. The wines included: Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône 2001 (links to La Sagesse 2007) Domaine Monier St. Joseph Terre Blance 2007 Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud 2007 [...]
[...] wines from Domaine Gramenon: Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud 2007 Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône 2007 Domaine Gramenon Les Laurentides Côtes du Rhône [...]
[...] from Côtes du Rhône 2007 Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône Domaine Gramenon Les Laurentides Côtes du Rhône Les [...]
[...] Côtes du Rhônes 2007 Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône Domaine Gramenon Les Laurentides Côtes du Rhône Les [...]
[...] Côtes du Rhônes 2007 Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône Domaine Gramenon Les Laurentides Côtes du Rhône Les [...]
[...] from Côtes du Rhône 2007 Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud Domaine Gramenon La Sagesse Côtes du Rhône Domaine Gramenon Les Laurentides Côtes du Rhône Les [...]
[...] the wines of the year. I think all of Richaud’s wines would be on my list along with the 2007 Domaine Gramenon Sierra du Sud and La Segasse, the 2005 Basetti from Edmunds St John, the wines of Ariana Occhipinti and a number [...]