Tardieu-Laurent

A crisp, mineral, perfumed white from the southern Rhône, expressive, vibrant and a fine complement to fish and chicken dishes and roasted vegetables

Violets and red cherry, with a gentle sweet-fruited demerera pliancy. It is aged for 12 months in one and two year-old barrels, then for six months in old oak foudres.

This has a softness of fruit and a luminosity, with bitter chocolate, cacao and beautifully supple tannins. Part of this comes from a site called La Montagne, at 300 metres of elevation. Aged for 12 months in one and two year-old barrels, then for eight months in foudres.

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 a more food-worthy iteration of white Cotes-du-Rhone, substantial and brightly stone-fruited, with a pleasing grip to it. 100% barrel fermented, it is then aged for eight months in new, one - and two-year old barrels.

“The Bordeaux of the South”, as it is known in the Rhône. This comes from limestone-clay soils. 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Grenache, both of which are over 50 years old. This is always the last wine tasted in the Tardieu-Laurent line-up – and there is a reason for that… Glass-staining ruby (almost black) colour, this promises to be a big wine – and it does not disappoint. Blackcurrant and cream on the fore-palate. However, despite the massive tannins, the impressive weight, there is an over-arching lift and lightness of touch. Give this ample time, but it has the requisite balance. Aged for 24 months in one and two year-old barrels.

From humble beginnings, emerges a characterful wine, pure and distinctive.

It comes from Les Garrigues, a clay-heavy soil with limestone gravels. Substantially proportioned, with notes of fennel and anise, it comes to a precise finish, with a parched bite of chalky minerality. 40% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette (which brings a lightness of touch), 20% Roussanne, 10% Bourbolenc.

Cornas Coteaux Tardieu-Laurent 2014

Concentrated, ripe and supple - very impressive.

Meaty and forceful, this is uncompromising, but with an elegance that makes it all work. Animalistic, with a brightness of dark sous bois fruit that acts as a delightful counterpoint. A hint of tobacco leaf and pepperiness. The tannins are hewn from the Cornas terroir… and all the better for it.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tardieu-Laurent 2017

Spicy and with a note of fine pastry on the nose. The palate opens expansively, exhibiting a winning combination of white peach fruit and fine grip. There is a beautiful saline precision to the finish. It is fermented in barrel with eight months' lees contact, half of the Roussanne being aged in new oak barrels.

This comes from various sites around Châteauneuf, including Font de Michelle. 40% Grenache, 30% Roussanne, This comes from various sites around Châteauneuf, including Font de Michelle. 40% Grenache, 30% Roussanne, 20% Clairette and 10% Bourboulenc, the latter two varieties bringing freshness and moderating the overall alcohol content. This is such a chiselled, energic wine, brilliantly focused and linear. White flowers and nervy minerality, driving through to a long, taut finish. Really exciting stuff. It is fermented in barrel with eight months lees contact, half of the Roussanne being aged in new oak barrels.

Cote-Rotie Tardieu-Laurent 2017

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes Tardieu-Laurent 2017

An extraordinarily aromatic blend from vines between 80 and over 100 years.

Hermitage Blanc Tardieu-Laurent 2016

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Speciale Tardieu-Laurent 2018

Hermitage Tardieu-Laurent 2016

From four sites: Larnage, Battis, Gervans and Coteaux de Mercurol. 100% Syrah, the vines being 60 years old. There is one third whole bunch fermentation here. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 months in new and one year-old barrels, then spends six months in foudres. A delightfully playful spicy nose, with dark berries. The palate is finely tuned, with an ebullient juiciness of fruit built around a mid-weight tannic chassis - drinkingwell and very dramatic in magnum

Rich, aromatic, spiced and deliciously aromatic , this offers personality, vitality and warmth.

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.

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.

There having been no 2013, this makes a welcome return, Grenache having fared particularly well in 2014.

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

Shimmering, jet-shot plum, this delivers intense, bright red and black fruit, perfumed with floral notes and liberally spiced with pepper. There are dark, earthy, mineral notes, wood-smoke and tobacco – all reflected on the palate, which is firm, powerful and brooding, its potential as yet unleashed. There is lovely freshness and precision and a citrus lift – a really impressive wine.

Lustrous plum-ruby in colour, this has a lovely, appetizing nose, bright, breezy, floral and rich in fresh berried fruit - all surprisingly pretty, given its status. The palate then echoes the aromatics of the nose, adding a heady dash of pepper and darker undertones of tobacco and wood smoke. Beautifully balanced, it offers a harmonious blend of suppressed power and aromatic, concentrated, perfumed, richness.