Tardieu-Laurent is essentially a super-selective négociant-éleveur, family owned and run. Michel Tardieu is at the helm working alongside with his oenologist son Bastien with his wife Michelle and daughter Camille on administration. The concept of the company centres around Michel’s and increasingly Bastien’s Tardieu's abilities in sourcing small parcels of designated wines from quality fruit, then taking care of their élevage in the Tardieu’s cellar in Lourmarin. Michel has worked tirelessly to build relationships with small growers, over many years, encouraging best practice and sourcing, in the main, low production, old vine fruit. It is Michel’s and Bastien’s meticulous attention to detail, which makes these wines so special.
Spéciale due to its 100% whole-bunch vinification, this comes from 70 year-old vines on the border of the Châteauneuf appellation, towards Courthézon. It is a blend of 95% Grenache and 5% “others”, referring to the old centre of this vineyard which is planted with assorted varieties, long since forgotten. Sweet spices on the nose, and black pepper, with an attractive floral, garriguey lift. The palate is exotically spiced (those whole-bunches) with a substantial weight of tannin, competing with rich raspberry, pomegranate and blueberry fruit. This spends eight months in two and three year-old barrels, then ten months in foudres.
- Grenache/Syrah blend
- ABV 14.5%
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Drink now / lay down
2021 - 2026 - Cork
- Dry
- UN
Exclusive Producer
Tardieu-Laurent
Michel Tardieu is a micro négociant-éleveur, based in Lourmarin, Provence, producing wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone.
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Region
Rhône Wine
The Rhône wine region comprises two discrete vineyard areas whose landscapes, soils, climates and even grapes vary significantly, resulting in distinctly different wine styles.