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2016 Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages Visan “Orpiment”
Maxime François Laurent
This bottling from Domaine Gramenon’s Maxime-François Laurent is fresh and beautifully balanced, with a bouquet of blackberries, black cherries, chamomile, pepper, tobacco, and spices. A 70% Grenache—30% Syrah blend, Orpiment bears hints of the olive and savory trademarks of its northern Rhône full-Syrah cousins. It is drinking well already and will only get better with a few years’ time. This paired nicely with a butternut and spinach lasagna on a recent Tuesday night, but it is versatile enough to accompany a steak or pizza, too. Optimal with a slight chill.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2016 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Maxime François Laurent |
Vineyard: | 1.3 ha, 60 years Grenache, 35 years Syrah |
Soil: | Clay, limestone |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
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About The Producer
Maxime François Laurent
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236