2023 Maxime-François Laurent Il Fait Soif

WINEMAKER: Michèle Aubéry & Maxime-François Laurent
REGION: Rhône, FR
VARIETY: Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah
VITICULTURE: Biodynamic

"Produced in a similar fashion to the ‘Poignée de Raisins’ above but is from Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. As always this wine has a touch more power than the Poignee de Raisins - 2023 is Maxime's 17th vintage back on the home property and he has really hit his stride; his wines now as complete and assured as his mothers. This is very fine and very long on taste and is dangerously delicious, as you might expect from a wine christened – “it’s thirsty time”. Always the the dark horse and a favourite of mine !" - Andrew Guard

The iconic Domaine Gramenon originates back in 1978 when Philippe Laurent and Michele Aubery-Laurent purchased 12 hectares of vines and an old barn. The first wine produced was in 1979 and was the first vintage of their now iconic and cult 'Ceps Centainaires' This original part of the domaine is located at 300 meters above sea level on a rare limestone bench. Over the years the domaine has expanded to 25 hectares by planting more vines, purchasing 4.5 hectares of plots in Vinsobres in 1999, and land in nearby Valreas in 2007 (now sold) and Taulignan in 2019. Today the estate is run by Michele Aubery and one of her children, son Maxime-Francois Laurent. The estate is officially certified Biodynamic by Demeter (since 2009) but has been farmed in a bio-organic manner since the mid 1980's. As their vineyards are isolated from others they do not have to worry about any cross-pollution from their neighbours spraying.