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Soaring Grenache from Domaine Gramenon
Soaring Grenache from Domaine Gramenon
by Tom Wolf by Tom Wolf
2021 Côtes-du-Rhône “Poignée de Raisins”
2021 Côtes-du-Rhône “Poignée de Raisins”


Michèle Aubéry-Laurent

Maxime François Laurent
Domaine Gramenon France | Southern Rhône | Côtes-du-Rhône
Few grape varieties are more earthbound than Grenache. Wines made from this star of southern France often taste stony, full of garrigue, and, well, earthy. So it is something of a miracle that Domaine Gramenon has crafted a cuvée that proudly retains that essence of Grenache yet is still so ethereal. Largely due to this kind of paradoxical magic, Michèle Aubéry-Laurent and her son Maxime are among the most respected vignerons not only of the southern Rhône, where they produce roughly twenty distinct bottlings, but in all of France.
They grow Grenache and Syrah, among several other regional varieties, but instead of making rich, robust wines—which is easy to do in these parts—their reds tend to sit at the more lively, exuberant end of the spectrum. Chalk this up to their devotion to biodynamic and organic farming as well as their more “natural” winemaking practices in the cellar. This Poignée de Raisins—“handful of grapes”—accomplishes the elusive feat of boasting both soul and a soaring joie de vivre. It doesn’t get much more perfect than that.


Michèle Aubéry-Laurent

Maxime François Laurent
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Grenache |
Appellation: | Côtes-du-Rhône |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southern Rhône |
Producer: | Domaine Gramenon |
Winemaker: | Michèle Aubèry-Laurent & Maxime François Laurent |
Vineyard: | 4-30 Years |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone varied with gravel, galets roulés, and/or sand |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 14% |
More from this Producer or Region

2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Poignée de Raisins”
France | Southern Rhône
Serve this one cool, from a carafe, with a plain old burger—generously seasoned with herbes de Provence.

2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “Sierra du Sud”
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A pure Syrah bottling offering wild flavors of the Provençal countryside gently wrapped in a thick coat of tooth-staining deep purple fruit.

2023 Côtes-du-Rhône “L’Emouvante”
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Deep, concentrated, and refreshingly saline, this is like great Cornas with Mediterranean influences.

2022 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Sagesse”
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La Sagesse carries the full flavor, succulence, and savoriness we associate with Grenache on a graceful and lively frame.

2021 Côtes-du-Rhône “La Papesse”
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Elevation and abundant limestone combine to give taut, high-toned wines with delicate floral aromas and stimulating mineral freshness.

2022 Gigondas “Racines”
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The palate is dense and ripe, yet wonderfully smooth and elegant. Racines seems to tap into the history of Les Pallières, the prestige and the high-toned elegance.

2024 Tavel Rosé
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Stony, spicy, and dense, it evokes red berries, watermelon, and garrigue and offers a beautiful accompaniment to a wide range of dishes.

2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge “Contre Couleur”
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Deep, dynamic Grenache feels aptly highlighted by bright and fresh Clairette. Soft and rich, yet still defined.

2021 Gigondas “Terrasse du Diable” MAGNUM
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Violets and dark berries dominate the palate, with a pleasant wild side lurking below the surface.

2022 Tavel Rosé HALF BOTTLE
France | Southern Rhône
This dark, autumnal rosé is a beacon of tradition in a sea of paler styles.
About The Producer
Domaine Gramenon
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312