2013 Domaine Gramenon, Cotes du Rhone, La Sagesse, Rhone Valley, France.
The Domaine Gramenon by Michèle Aubèry-Laurent and her talented son Maxime François is one of the finest organic Cotes du Rhone estates and their wines some of the greatest expressions of intense terroir wine in the region, these are as natural and pure as it gets, true authentic/soulful and passionate examples of what can be done with organic and biodynamic practices. The Laurent’s tiny handcrafted wines are full of energy, drive, verve and exceptional depth with wondrous layers of flavors and heady aromatics, and while they do an amazing Syrah and lovely white wine, it is Grenache that really stands out here and the latest La Sagesse is a fantastic effort that will give many a Chateauneuf a run for their money, if not totally blow them away! The 2013 Domaine Gramenon Cotes du Rhone La Sagesse, coming from 60 year old vines grown on a mix of soils including Clay, Limestone and Sand mostly with some Gravel and Galets Roules, it is made in an old fashioned way with almost no sulphur, no fining or filtration and aging is done in mostly big cask foudres and a few demi-muids, the results are a really sexy wine that flows across the palate with deep flavors, sublime texture and glorious complexity. This beautiful Grenache starts with a mixed floral bouquet with wild flavors and violets, a spicy array of herbs, pepper and mineral along with dark fruits leading to a full and plumy mouth of blackberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, bramble berry, strawberry and tangy currant fruits with briar, earth, sweet and savory gamey notes, chalky stones, saline, licorice, lavender oil and light cedar. There is a kirsch/liqueur element and lively youthful acidity, along with supple supporting tannins that with hold this pretty wine together and the finish is haunting, this is classy and persistent wine that deserves your attention, drink from 2015 to 2020.
($35 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive