Tardieu Laurent : Rasteau "Vieilles Vignes" 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of Tardieu Laurent's Rasteau "Vieilles Vignes" 2022

Tasting notes

Colour
The glass reveals a beautiful deep red hue.

Nose
Complex and appealing, the bouquet exudes deep aromas of ripe black fruits such as blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry. It then opens onto spicy notes of white pepper, Provençal herbs and garrigue, subtly enhanced by a delicate touch of violet.

Palate
The attack is generous and finely balanced, revealing a velvety texture along with perfectly integrated, creamy tannins. Full-bodied and voluptuous, the palate offers a lovely refreshing tension that stretches into a persistent finish with delicious notes of luscious berries.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with braised meats, game or flavourful Provençal stews. It will also be an ideal match for richly spiced Mediterranean dishes as well as characterful aged cheeses such as Roquefort, goat's cheese or sheep's cheese.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this 2022 vintage, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature of 14°C, after decanting for about an hour. While it can be enjoyed now, this wine will reach its peak after a few years in the cellar and will continue to evolve until around 2037.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 14.5% vol.

The elegance and generosity of a red wine from Rasteau

The estate

Founded in 1996 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent, the Tardieu Laurent house is based in Lourmarin, in Provence. This negociant-éleveur has made a name for itself in the Rhône Valley with an approach inspired by Burgundian methods. Today, Michel Tardieu is the sole owner and runs the company with his wife and children. The family rigorously selects the best grapes from very old vines. The estate's identity is built on minimal intervention, absolute respect for the terroir, and the creation of elegant, easy-drinking wines.

The vineyard

The grapes used for this cuvée come from carefully selected plots within the Rasteau appellation. The house favours vines that are a century old or nearly so, cultivated by committed partner winegrowers who, wherever possible, follow organic or biodynamic farming practices. These old vines, with their deep root systems, have been able to draw on the resources needed to withstand extreme climatic conditions.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by particularly challenging weather conditions, with a historic drought and intense sunshine throughout spring and summer. Faced with this extreme water stress, the rains that fell in mid-August and September proved to be a lifeline, allowing the vines to restart their metabolism and bring the berries to optimal phenolic ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

Vinification takes place directly at the partner winegrower's estate, with around a third of the harvest made up of whole-bunch grapes to preserve the delicacy of the berries while structuring the wine. Aging then takes place on fine lees, first for ten months in used barrels made from oak sourced from the Allier and Tronçais forests, followed by eight months in wooden vats. Bottling is carried out without any fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

• Grenache (70%)
• Syrah (20%)
• Mourvèdre (10%)