Tardieu Laurent : Hermitage 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Hermitage 2022 Tardieu Laurent

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a deep, dark red hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with notes of black cherry jam, forest fruits and liquorice, enriched by touches of clove, black pepper, smoke and a fine minerality reminiscent of graphite.

Palate
Full-bodied and generous, the palate offers a silky texture and remarkable balance. It unfolds flavours of black raspberry, blackcurrant and sweet spices. The long, intense finish rests on fine, perfectly integrated tannins.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with slow-braised or roasted meats, such as beef rib, lamb shoulder or duck confit. It also works wonderfully with mushroom-based dishes, meaty fish like tuna, Asian-inspired recipes or aged cheeses such as Comté.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this Hermitage 2022, it is recommended to decant it two to three hours before serving, at a temperature of around 16°C. Built for long-term aging, this wine can be cellared and will be ideal to drink until around 2042.

Other characteristics

This wine has an alcohol content of 13.5%. Bottled without fining and with no or very light filtration, it preserves its full aromatic integrity and may show a slight natural sediment.

The elegance and power of a wine from the Hermitage appellation

The estate

Founded in 1996 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent, the house of Tardieu Laurent is based in Lourmarin, at the crossroads of the Rhône Valley. This micro-négociant quickly made a name for itself through its quest for high-quality terroirs and its work with very old vines. Today, the estate is still led by its founder Michel Tardieu, supported by his wife Michèle and their children Bastien and Camille. Independent and family-run, the estate favours partnerships with winegrowers committed to organic farming, creating authentic wines with a strong sense of identity.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Hermitage come from historic plots such as Bessards, Méal, Pierrelles and La Croix. Located on the left bank of the river, this steep, south-facing terroir benefits from maximum sun exposure. The soils are made up of decomposed granite, mica, limestone and flint. The vines, aged between sixty and over a hundred years, draw deeply from this mineral-rich soil to produce naturally limited yields and beautiful concentration.

The vintage

2022 was marked by unprecedented drought and extreme sunshine from April to September, with record summer temperatures. Fortunately, saving rains between mid-August and September helped unlock ripening. The northern part of the region withstood these extreme weather conditions particularly well, yielding ripe, balanced berries.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of this Hermitage 2022 begins with fermentation using indigenous yeasts and extended maceration. The harvest is two-thirds destemmed, with one-third whole clusters retained. Aging takes place in two stages: twelve months in French oak barrels sourced from the Allier and Tronçais forests, followed by a further twelve months in large wooden foudres to refine the structure without overpowering the wine.

Grape variety

100% Syrah.