Tardieu-Laurent

An early-drinking southern Rhône Grenache blend of spicy red cherry aromas and juicy raspberry flavours, medium-bodied and with 14% alcohol.

Zesty aromas of lemongrass, lime rind and sherbet. The palate’s bold white peach fruit is refreshed by steely acidity, coming to a crunchy, saline finish on which honeysuckle perfume lingers. Full of character and at 13.5% abv, suitable for both quaffing and food pairing.

Half whole-bunch vinified. Violets and desiccated raspberry fruit on the nose, with sous-bois and wild strawberry. The palate is admirably fine and detailed, with fresh acidity. The difference here is the intricate quality of the tannins, which add a rather aristocratic finesse to the long, focussed finish.

Intense jet-plum in colour, this offers a blend of crème de mûre, summer berries and dark chocolate on the nose, both ripe and savoury. The darker elements on the nose give way to extraordinary fruit purity and freshness on the palate, combined with a mineral intensity, all set within a luscious, rich frame. Effortlessly balanced, this is a layered and complex wine, with great precision through to a protracted finish - impressive.

Spéciale' due to its whole bunch vinification, where whole grape clusters are pressed. An old vine Châteauneuf and a masterclass in sensitive Grenache.

Cotes-du-Rhone Cuvee Speciale Tardieu-Laurent 2018 Magnum

This comes from five plots: La Boussière, Les Garrigues, Les Dentelles, Les Teysonnières and Gour de Chaulé. 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, all of which are from 80 to over 100 years old. Two thirds whole bunch fermentated, before ageing for 12 months in one and two year-old barrels and then 12 months in old oak foudres. This is accessible and overtly charming on the nose, violets and rose petals goading you to take a sip. The medium-bodied palate is tightly coiled at present, with rigorous tannins pointing to a wine with several years of ageing potential ahead. Lovely adroit freshness will safeguard that…

This is from From four sites: La Madonne sur Chavanay, Coteaux Vitrine sur Saint-Pierre-de-Boeuf, Sainte-Epine sur St-Jean de Muzols and les Oliviers sur Mauves. Serine was the original clone of Syrah. 100% Syrah and Serine, the former vines being over 60 years old, the latter 100-120 years old. One third whole bunch fermentationAged for 12 months in new and one year-old barrels, before spending eight months in foudres. Violets galore on the nose, dried herbs and black pepper spice. An aromatic assault, which carries through to the palate. Medium bodied but brimming with life, the perfume ballooning from the liquid. The tannins are supple, totally unobtrusive.

Peppery and delicately uplifting on the nose, morphing into a fresh, spicy, moreishly juicy palate, with fine tannins and a hint of leather, the violet perfume coming back in on the finish. Following fermentation, it is aged for 12 months in new and one year-old barrels, then spends six months in foudres.

This comes from five plots, including Le Meal. 100% Serine and Syrah, from 60 year old vines. Two thirds whole bunch vinification. Black cherry, menthol and peppery spice, with bitter chocolate, this is immediately riper and more powerful than the Côte-Rôtie. On the palate, there is amplitude and flesh, cassis and very fine tannins, with a fruit coating. The wine is aged for a year in new and one year-old barrels, then spends another year in foudres.

50% whole bunch fermented. Very dense ruby colour. Peppery, this is a big wine which needs patience. Smoky bacon and freshly ground coffee, bitter chocolate and fresh mint. Aged for 24 months in new and one year-old barrels.

Brilliantly bright red cherry fruit on the nose, espresso, menthol, fresh mint, garrigue, citrus peel and orange blossom. On the palate, very supple, ripe tannin, with blueberry and wild blackcurrant fruit. Aged for 12 months in one and two year-old barrels and then 12 months in old oak foudres.

Here old vine Marsanne and Roussanne combine to produce an opulent, distinctive style.

Intense jet-plum in colour, this offers a blend of crème de mûre, summer berries and dark chocolate on the nose, both ripe and savoury. The darker elements on the nose give way to extraordinary fruit purity and freshness on the palate, combined with a mineral intensity, all set within a luscious, rich frame. Effortlessly balanced, this is a layered and complex wine, with great precision through to a protracted finish - impressive.

This is a huge success in 2014.