We recently had Michel Tardieu and his son Bastien in the UK for a dinner at The Palm. Before this I did an interview with them both in our tasting room. Please excuse the awful Moustache (link to Movember blog here!)

At the tasting / dinner the wines were:

Tasting

Côtes-du-Rhône, Guy Louis 2009 – beautifully fresh yet rich, 24 months in old oak, a serious wine at the price.

Rasteau Vieilles Vignes 2009 – a step up on wine 1 and a very savy buy…keep an eye on Rasteau, this one is from a great plot on the mountain.

Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes 2009 – 60-80yr old vines, on big pebbles as per Chateauneuf-du-Pape, lovely fruit with a substantial tannic structure

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2009 & Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale 2009 – The difference between these two wines is discussed in the video but in a nutshell the Cuvee Speciale is 100% Grenache which is whole bunch pressed and sees no new oak…it is a staggeringly elegant yet deep wine. The Vieilles Vignes is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, 100% de-stemmed and sees some newer oak. This is a more modern interpretation.

 Dinner Wines

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes 2009 – this was stunning, rich, slightly waxy and tasting beautifully. Bastien suggested it will go into its shell soon.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2004 Magnum – I loved this and as Oliver commented it is a delicious vintage for drinking from now onwards (as with 2006)

Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2004 Magnum – This was a few judges wine of the night, elegant and in a wonderful place right now.

Côte-Rôtie Vielles Vignes 1999 Magnum – A wine which Michel never sold…he kept it for friends…aged 36months in new oak, there is balance but also profound depth, a wonder.

Hermitage 2007 Magnum – Quite a treat and whilst very young this was appreciably delicious. An uber-ripe vintage.

Saint-Péray Vieilles Vignes 2009 – 100% Viognier and a ultra clever buy. Freash and white fruited great with the cheese.

What an evening it was….