Gramenon lElementaire Valreas Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2018 ANDREW GUARD WINE IMPORTS

Gramenon is one of the great properties in the Southern Rhone. The winery takes some finding though and this is perhaps the first indication of the exclusivity and elusiveness of it’s wines. These wines are literally impossible to track down. The winery and cellar is located in a remote area of the Drôme, in the small town of Montbrison-sur-Lez. The farm house and cellars are surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards and olive groves. It is truly an incredible place; very relaxing, very serene.

In 1990 Michelle and her husband Philippe established their winery and young family within this idyllic location encompassing some ancient vineyards containing 100+ year old vines. Winemaker Philippe quickly gained international acclaim for his concentrated and complex wines resulting from natural, minimal-intervention techniques. But in 1999 tragedy struck when Philippe was suddenly killed in a hunting accident. Michelle was devastated yet determined that the winery would continue in his tradition.

Although she had neither her husband’s reputation nor experience, she followed Philippe’s blueprint in the vineyards and winery. Throughout the vintages of Gramenon that I’ve tasted following Philippe’s untimely death, I’ve noticed Michelle developing a style of her own, perhaps producing finer, more layered wines. Now aided by her young son Maxime-Francois (who has recently returned from his schooling and work experience in Burgundy), she still farms the vineyards organically and applies careful, natural handling in the winery; the wines she produces seem to be taking on a quality of effortless elegance and exquisite balance.

– Importer Note