Maison Tardieu-Laurent - Rasteau - Vieilles Vignes 2020
Maison Tardieu-Laurent was founded in 1996 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent, though for many years the business has been the exclusive domaine of the Tardieu family. Today, it is run by Michel, his son, Bastien, and daughter, Camille. When Michel started the business, he would ask the growers he worked with two questions: which producers in the same appellation wines they liked to drink, and if they had some friends or producers with well-located old vines who might be interested to work with him. The result is an extensive network of “partner vignerons” — farmers with whom the family have long-standing relationships, almost all of whom have enviable holdings of old vines in the northern and southern Rhône’s most prestigious appellations. Today, this word of mouth and handshake model is still how the family conducts their business.
Maison Tardieu-Laurent's Rasteau Vieilles Vignes is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre from 80-year-old vines on slopes of limestone-clay and blue and yellow clay soils. After a one-third whole cluster fermentation, the wine is aged for ten months in old barrels, then eight months in foudre and bottled without fining or filtration. In the glass, this wine shows a lustrous deep ruby color with purple highlights. The nose is ethereal with intense, lively aromas of baked cherries, plums, blackberries and wild herbs that dazzle the senses. On the palate, the old-vines deliver a complex richness and concentration of intense fruit flavors complemented by savory notes of garrigue, all framed by soft, velvet tannins. The finish is long and decadent, though not heavy or clumsy — it is refined, balanced and joyful, a polished Cru that delivers the essence of the southern Rhône. Serve with roast or grilled lamb smothered with rosemary and herbs.
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