2019, Côtes du Rhône, La Vie On Y Est, Domaine Gramenon
About Producer
Created in 1978 by Philippe Laurent and Michèle Aubéry, Domaine Gramenon is a 26ha family estate known for their excellent terroir-driven wines full of great finesse, grace and depth of flavours. In an area where almost everyone is selling grapes to the local co-op, Domaine Gramenon is a rare exception with their own superb wine range. Following her husband’s untimely death in 1999, Michèle resolutely stepped to the forefront and has brilliantly succeeded in taking over Philippe’s work. Over the years, she has found her own creative style, producing finer and more layered character-driven wines. Michèle is now helped by her son Maxime-François and together, the mother-son duo champions biodynamic farming in the vineyards and minimal-intervention practices in the cellars. In addition to winemaking, Michèle is also an accomplished painter.
Varietals
Blend of 60% viognier and 40% clairette from 30 year-old vines.
About Appellation
The vineyard lies on sandstone and shell-sandy soil at 350m altitude, on the hillsides of Montbrison-sur-Lez, in the Drôme Provençale area, not far from Valréas. It's approximately 70km north of Avignon, in the most northern part of the southern Côtes du Rhône area. The sandstone bank comes from a molasse layer left by a former maritime coastline under the influence of tidal streams around 12 million years ago. This is the only white cuvée from the domaine.
Tasting Notes
Fragrant nose of stone white fruits, apple, citrus, lemon peel and floral scents, round and expressive mouthfeel with ample texture, lovely focus and nice tension, oodles of rich flavours of white peach, apricot, pear and lime intertwined with faint hints of almond and vibrant acidity, captivating energy carrying through a long, seamless finish. This is a stunningly refreshing wine with incredible lift and amazing fruit purity. Don’t get misled by the ‘simple’ Côtes-du-Rhône designation, it’s a beautifully crafted wine with no shortage of complexity, displaying effortless elegance and delightful freshness. (08/2021)