2023 Maxime-François Laurent Rubiconde

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

"Produced from old vines Grenache from vines from two parcels; one is Gramenon's neighbour - the vines are 500m from Gramenon. The other is a parcel owned by Maxime's Uncle. The neighbour's vines are 40 years old and the Uncle's are 80 year old. Hand harvested then fermented using a portion of whole bunches in concrete 'cuve beton'. This wine was called 'Pourpre' until he decided to change it to 'Rubiconde' - this reflects the fact that he feels that the wine is more red fruited than purple fruited! As always it is very elegant with lovely grip and superb freshness. As with all Gramenon made wines the mouthfeel is superb with a lovely seamless quality. Glorious Grenache - pretty & floral - the epitome of Grenache's elegance - this is Maxime's La Mémé" - 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.