{"product_id":"domaine-gramenon-la-papesse-cotes-du-rhone-rouge-bio-2022","title":"Domaine Gramenon La Papesse Côtes du Rhône Rouge Bio 2022","description":"\u003cp\u003eDomaine Gramenon La Papesse Côtes du Rhône Rouge Bio 2022 is a striking expression of southern Rhône Grenache Noir with a distinctly cool, refined personality. Certified organic and crafted by one of the region’s benchmark natural wine estates, it shows just how elegant and nuanced Grenache can be when matched with high-altitude terroir and sensitive winemaking. La Papesse is named in playful contrast to the famed ‘Pope’ of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, underlining its role as a stylistic standard-bearer for finesse in the southern Rhône.\n\nWhere many Côtes du Rhône wines lean into warmth and power, La Papesse stands out for its lifted aromatics, vibrant freshness and almost Pinot Noir–like delicacy. Old-vine Grenache Noir grown on the hills around Vinsobres (elevated to its own appellation in 2006) gives a wine of depth without heaviness, bridging Mediterranean ripeness with an unexpectedly cool, stony edge. Over the years, it has earned a cult following among sommeliers and enthusiasts seeking a more ethereal side of Rhône Grenache.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2022 La Papesse shows a luminous, medium ruby-red hue with garnet highlights at the rim, lighter and more translucent than many southern Rhône reds. The nose is immediately expressive and pure: wild red berries, black cherry and pomegranate are layered with rose petals, crushed violets and a subtle hint of garrigue—thyme, rosemary and a touch of dried lavender. With air, more complexity emerges: sweet spice, white pepper, a suggestion of licorice root and a stony, almost chalky mineral note that speaks clearly of its terroir.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is poised and finely etched rather than broad or heavy. Juicy redcurrant, raspberry and cherry fruit glide across a silky, medium-bodied frame, supported by very fine, powdery tannins and a vibrant line of acidity. There is a beautiful tension between ripeness and freshness—ripe fruit without sweetness, warmth without heat. Subtle savoury nuances of dried herbs, tea leaf and a faint hint of blood orange zest lend further complexity on the long, graceful finish. While immensely charming and drinkable in its youth, especially with a short decant, the structure and balance suggest it will evolve nicely over the next 6–8 years, gaining more tertiary notes of spice, forest floor and dried flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLa Papesse is sourced from biodynamically farmed Grenache Noir vines rooted in the higher, cooler sites around Vinsobres in the southern Rhône, roughly 15 km southeast of Domaine Gramenon. Here, a mix of limestone, clay and stony, well-drained soils, combined with altitude and cooling winds, tempers the Mediterranean sun and preserves natural acidity and aromatic lift. The grapes are harvested by hand at optimal physiological ripeness, with rigorous selection both in the vineyard and at the cellar door to ensure only perfectly healthy fruit is used. Vinification follows Gramenon’s minimalist, low-intervention philosophy: whole or partially whole clusters are gently fermented with indigenous yeasts, typically in concrete or neutral vessels to avoid masking the fruit. Extraction is kept delicate, favouring infusion over aggressive pumping or punching down, and the wine is matured on its fine lees before bottling with little or no filtration and minimal added sulphur, allowing the purity of Grenache and its terroir to shine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLa Papesse’s elegance and freshness make it highly versatile at the table, pairing effortlessly with both rustic and more refined cuisine. It is superb with roast poultry (especially herb-roasted chicken or guinea fowl), pork tenderloin with rosemary, grilled lamb chops, and game birds. It also complements Mediterranean vegetable dishes—ratatouille, grilled peppers and aubergine, tomato-based pastas, or mushroom risotto—and works beautifully with charcuterie, terrines and semi-hard cheeses such as Comté or Tomme. Serve at 14–16 °C, slightly cooler than many might expect for a southern Rhône red, to emphasize its floral, high-toned side. A light 30–45 minute decant is recommended in its youth to let the aromatics open and to bring even more silkiness to the palate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDomaine Gramenon, founded in the late 1970s in the northeastern corner of the southern Rhône, has become one of the region’s most influential names for artisanal, terroir-driven Grenache. Under the stewardship of Michèle Aubéry-Laurent and later her son Maxime-François, the estate moved early and decisively toward organic and biodynamic farming, low yields, and minimal-intervention cellar work, long before such practices became fashionable. Working with old vines, higher-altitude parcels and a strong focus on expressing individual sites, Gramenon has played a key role in redefining what Côtes du Rhône and surrounding appellations can be: vibrant, pure and full of energy rather than simply rich and powerful. Today, their wines—particularly cuvées like La Papesse—are sought after by top restaurants and collectors worldwide, widely regarded as reference points for naturally made Grenache of finesse and character in the southern Rhône.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Domaine Gramenon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252566249809,"sku":"VC-12588","price":39.92,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/bild_domaine_gramenon_la_papesse_cotes_du_rhone_rouge_bio_2022_1280x1280_f954ae33-8b1d-44df-8e3d-1c36d5d935a6.jpg?v=1783445154","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/domaine-gramenon-la-papesse-cotes-du-rhone-rouge-bio-2022","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}