Based in Gigondas since 1936, The Gabriel Meffre House is known for a sustainably and socially responsible approach.

Their style of wine is round, generous and approachable from the young while delivered age worthy characters. It is embodied by their vision ‘Semper Voluptas‘, engraved on the bottles = always a pleasure.

Laurus means ‘Laurel’ in Latin, a Roman symbol of excellence. Here excellence is all about “terroir”: the grapes are grown on plots we select for their ability to express the very best of each Appellation. The term “terroir” encompasses a soil, a climate and people . Here it is expressed through sustainable partnerships with wine-growers who share our vision. The maturing process in 275-litre Laurus barrels refines the structure, producing complex wines with plenty of character and good cellaring potential.

The Grenache grapes come from the sector of “La Crau”, a large Quaternary terrace covered with large pebble stones, giving the wine structure and body. The Syrah grapes are grown on clay-limestone soils from the Cretaceous period, bringing great elegance and finesse to the wine.

BLEND: 65 % Grenache, 35 % Syrah

AGE OF VINES AND YIELD: 40 years on average, with Grenache of more than 80 years

WINEMAKING: 58% of the blend is aged in 275-liter Laurus oak barrels for 17 months.

An impressive, full-bodied wine, with a velvety texture, hints of cola and allspice and a deep vein of black cherries running from start to finish. Boasting plenty of fruit, texture and complexity, it has all the ingredients to be delicious.

Serve at 16-18°C – Ideally open about 1 hour before serving. Optimum maturity: 2017 – 2025

Food pairings: Truffle omelette, Coq au vin

Wine Enthusiast – 94 points

Complexities of crushed mineral, coffee grinds and hazelnut accent pristine but ripe blackberry and fig in this blend of Grenache (57%) and Syrah (43%). It’s ample and juicy but elegant, maintaining a freshness on the midpalate and tense tannins. While bold in its youth it should gain finesse through 2030.

Wine Advocate – Robert Parker 92-94 pts

If this is representative of what ends up in the bottle, it will herald a new level of quality for this bottling. The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Laurus Sélection Parcellaire is an impressive, full-bodied wine, with a velvety texture, hints of cola and allspice and a deep vein of black cherries running from start to finish. Boasting plenty of fruit, texture and complexity, it has all the ingredients to be delicious.

93-95 pts Jeb Dunnuck
91-93 pts Vinous – Josh Raynolds
92 pts Wine Spectator