Laurus

Laurus

Laurus means ‘Laurel’ in Latin, a Roman symbol of excellence. Here excellence is all about “terroir”: the grapes are grown on parcels selected 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 perfect combination of grape variey & soil, the precise maturing process in unique 275l. French oak “Laurus” barrels refines the structure, producing complex wines, with plenty of character, beautiful elegance and a long ageing potential.

The wines of the range

AOP Gigondas

AOP Châteauneuf-Du-Pape

AOP Vacqueyras

AOP Beaumes de Venise

AOP Côtes du Rhône Villages

AOP Côtes du Rhône

VDN Muscat Beaumes de Venise

IGP Pays d'Oc

AOP Hermitage

AOP Côte Rôtie

AOP Condrieu

AOP Saint Joseph

AOP Crozes-Hermitage

A UNIQUE RANGE
Laurus wines highlight our expertise and know-how in producing racy wines, the expression of a specific terroir.

The term “terroir” brings together three essential elements: soil, climate    and man.

Accompanied by winemaking partners who share our vision, since 1994 we have been crafting exceptional cuvées from the finest appellations in the southern and northern Rhône Valley.

A UNIQUE STYLE

For 10 years, Maison Gabriel Meffre oenologists worked in collaboration with Philippe Cambie, sadly now deceased, recognized as one of the Rhône Valley’s most skilled winemaker-consultants.

Together, they worked on the two keys to the success of Laurus wines:

The origin of the grapes
– Wine ageing

After selecting the parcels best able to reveal the best of their terroir, they combined their know-how to vinify each appellation in keeping with its identity.

TAILOR-MADE AGEING

Aging in 275l “Laurus” French oak barrels refines the structure and delivers wines of character, complexity and ageing potential.

The idea for this barrel arose from the desire of our team of oenologists to give our prestigious Laurus range a unique style, a signature derived from its own unique ageing method.

Specifically adapted to the nature of Laurus wines and the style sought, this barrel was developed in collaboration with cooper Dargaud & Jaegle. It brings roundness and refinement through harmonious, balanced ageing without distorting the characteristics of the appellation.

With a slightly more rounded shape and a capacity of 275L, it reproduces the “demi-queue” from Vaucluse, widely used in our region in Gallo-Roman times.

Laurus barrels are made from top-quality oak: oak from the Bertranges      forest, one of France’s 5 finest forests.

TAILOR-MADE AGEING

Contact with wood expands the wine’s aromatic palette, enriching it with more complex aromas (woody, vanilla, toasty or smoky notes). Wood transfers many substances to the wine, both intrinsic and those formed during barrel burning. But beyond the contribution of aromas, ageing improves the wine in more ways than one:

  • Decarbonication of the wine (loss of CO2).
  • Color evolution and stabilization (the wine evolves towards red mauve and appears darker and deeper).
  • Softening of tannins.
  • Reduction of astringency, contributing to the wine’s “fat” sensation.

Laurus barrels sublimate the meticulous work of our oenologists, which is to bring out the typicity of the terroir combined with an elegant, generous structure.