Tardieu Laurent : Cuvée Spéciale 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the 2021 Cuvée Spéciale from Tardieu Laurent

Tasting

Appearance

The color is bright and clear, reflecting the elegance and finesse of this vintage.

Nose

The nose reveals a sensual, refined bouquet marked by intense aromas of dried rose and peony. This floral expression lends the wine a romantic, delicate dimension.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its restraint and precision. Finely chiseled and fragrant, it reveals a silky texture carried by remarkably well-integrated tannins. The aromatic complexity unfolds gradually, offering a refined tasting experience that favors elegance over power.

Food and wine pairings

This 2021 Cuvée Spéciale pairs perfectly with roasted meats such as lamb or duck. It also matches Mediterranean preparations with aromatic herbs, mushroom-based dishes, as well as feathered game.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to cellar the 2021 Cuvée Spéciale for a few years before tasting, to allow all of its components to fully harmonize. This wine has aging potential through around 2031, under optimal storage conditions.

A Grenache from the Rhône Valley with classic elegance

The estate

Founded in 1994 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent, the Tardieu Laurent House set up in Lourmarin in 1996. Now run by Michel Tardieu and his children, including Bastien, who serves as the winemaker, this wine merchant house stands out for its unique approach. It works with around sixty winegrowers throughout the Rhône Valley, favoring old-vine parcels and relationships built on trust. Tardieu Laurent’s philosophy is rooted in respect for the terroir, the rigorous selection of old vines, and meticulous aging that preserves the fruit’s natural expression.

The vineyard

The 2021 Cuvée Spéciale comes from Grenache vines planted on selected terroirs in the southern Rhône Valley. These vines, often old, produce limited yields but grapes of notable concentration and complexity.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage proved particularly challenging in the Rhône Valley. A severe frost episode in early April affected vineyards across France, followed by disease pressure during the growing cycle. Despite these difficulties, beneficial rains at the end of summer and a favorable autumn allowed for slow, balanced ripening. The summer’s moderate temperatures encouraged the development of phenolic maturity reminiscent of the great classic vintages, characterized by their freshness and aromatic definition.

Winemaking and aging

Winemaking for the 2021 Cuvée Spéciale is carried out with care. After fermentation, this Côtes du Rhône wine undergoes meticulous aging, often combining tanks and large oak vats to preserve fruit purity and tannin finesse. The wine is bottled without filtration or excessive fining.

Grape variety

Grenache