Tardieu Laurent : Hermitage 2021

Tasting notes and advice for Tardieu Laurent's Hermitage 2021

Tasting

Color
The color shows a deep red hue with dark highlights.

Nose
Expressive, the nose reveals aromas of black berries, roasted meat and smoke, lifted by notes of dried leaves. Hints of baking spices and a cold hearth round out this complex bouquet. With aeration, nuances of toasted almonds and exotic cherry gradually emerge.

Palate
On the palate, this wine stands out for its full-bodied structure and finely chiseled tannins. A silky texture and a smooth, suave character are paired with controlled power at every stage of the tasting. The palate unveils flavors of cherry, raspberry and spring flowers, enhanced by notes of aromatic herbs. Concentrated and layered, this Hermitage 2021 offers a core of ripe fruit and a long, dry finish, marked by striking freshness and fine aromatic persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This Hermitage 2021 pairs harmoniously with red and white meats such as veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck or game. It also elegantly complements roasted poultry dishes, Provençal ratatouille, meat lasagna or braised lamb shank. Lovers of spicy Asian cuisine, grilled tuna, mushrooms or herb sausages will also find in this wine a partner of choice.

Serving and cellaring

This Hermitage 2021 is best served at a temperature of around 16°C. Decanting for one hour before serving will allow the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve beautifully until around 2036, or even beyond if stored in optimal conditions.

An elegant, structured Hermitage

The estate

Founded in 1994 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent in Lourmarin, Provence, the Tardieu Laurent estate quickly established itself as one of the most respected merchant-éleveurs in the Rhône Valley. Now run by Michel Tardieu, alongside his son Bastien, who has served as the estate’s oenologist since 2009, the estate upholds a philosophy rooted in rigorous selection of old-vine parcels, the expression of terroirs, and respect for organic and biodynamic practices. Working with more than seventy winegrowers across the region, Tardieu Laurent has built a reputation for excellence through long-term, trust-based relationships and an unwavering commitment to quality.

The vineyard

This Hermitage 2021 comes from Syrah vines averaging sixty years of age, planted on the renowned terroirs of Début du Méal, Pierelles, Diognières and La Croix. These parcels feature the clay-granite soils typical of the appellation, located on the eastern bank of the Rhône in the northern part of the valley. Deeply rooted in this mineral substrate, the vines produce grapes of remarkable concentration and complexity, faithfully reflecting the identity of this exceptional terroir.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Rhône Valley proved particularly challenging, marked by a devastating frost episode in early April with temperatures dropping as low as -10°C. The vines suffered significant stress, requiring considerable work to manage the erratic regrowth of secondary buds. Fortunately, beneficial summer rainfall and moderate temperatures helped the vines regain balance. A mild autumn favored optimal grape ripening. Despite historically low yields, conditions enabled old vines to produce fruit of exceptional quality, giving rise to elegant, well-balanced wines with remarkable aging potential.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for this Hermitage 2021 were fully destemmed before fermentation, resulting in a refined tannic structure derived exclusively from the skins. After vinification, the wine was aged for twelve months in new and one-year-old French oak barrels from the Allier and Tronçais forests. Aging then continued for a further twelve months in large wooden foudres, allowing the wine to develop complexity while preserving the fruit’s freshness. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration, thereby preserving the full integrity of its natural components.

Grape variety

Syrah (100%)