Grapelive Wine of the Day

By Kerry Winslow

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2010 Domaine Gramenon “Sierra du Sud” Cotes-du-Rhone, Syrah, France. (Biodynamic-Demeter)
It is hard to call this Domaine’s wines simply Cotes-du-Rhones, it just doesn’t fit, as their offerings are unique and terroir driven. Maybe it is the distinct location, or the biodynamic farming that give these wines there own character, but regardless these hand-crafted bottlings are loaded with fruit, intensity and depth that goes way beyond their merger classification, and it is especially true of this vintage of “Sierra du Sud from Gramenon. This Syrah cuvee is more Hermitage or Cornas in style than you’d imagine and it shows a depth and class that would easily fool anything into believing it came from those higher rent areas! While Gramenon is not cheap by any means, it is a steal when compared to others in it’s quality for the buck level, and with the 2010 vintage they have reacher even higher levels of substance. The 2010 Sierra du Sud has a nose full of spring flowers, mineral, wild game and spices as well as a pure black fruit tone, the palate is vibrant and expansive with blueberry, boysenberry, cherry liqueur, licorice, meaty essence and peppery spice. There is a hint of dark chocolate, lavender and tangy plums as well, and everything is held together nicely by smooth tannins and bright acidity, this wine gets fuller and deeper with air, make sure to give it a good decanting while young and look for it to age well for another 3 to 5 years, though I will enjoy a few well before that!
($34 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive

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