Tardieu Laurent : Cuvée Spéciale 2023

A full-bodied and refined red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

Passionate about wine and terroir, Michel Tardieu created the Tardieu Laurent estate with his wife in 1996, which over the vintages has become an essential reference among the most beautiful wine labels of the Rhône Valley.

For two generations, this family estate has magnified the terroirs of emblematic appellations (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Condrieu, Hermitage, Vacqueyras, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage ...) through aromatic and delicate wines resulting from rigorous vinification.

The vineyard

The Cuvée Spéciale from Tardieu Laurent is a wine from the Rhône Valley made from century-old vines, located within the "Bas de la Crau" terroir on predominantly sandy soils.

The vintage

Everything seemed to announce a "Great Vintage" in 2023. After a harsh winter and a generously watered spring, the vine benefited from ideal conditions. The summer, marked by some welcome rains, hinted at a promising harvest in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. But in a few days, an extreme heat wave came to upset these forecasts. The young vines and early terroirs suffered, while only the old vines on late soils managed to preserve optimal maturity.

The result: a very heterogeneous quality, even among the most experienced estates. White wines stand out for their balance and brilliant freshness. On the red side, variability is more marked according to the grape varieties. The Syrah surprise with their accuracy, while the old Grenache reveal a racey and precise character.

Once again, the rigorous selection of cuvées will be essential to fully appreciate the potential of this contrasted vintage.

Vinification and aging

The initial aging of 12 months in two and three wine barrels is complemented by an additional 12 months of aging in foudre.

Blend

Grenache (99%)
Other (1%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for the 2023 Cuvée Spéciale from Tardieu Laurent

Service

For optimal tasting, decant the wine two hours before tasting it at a temperature of 14°C.

Cellaring

This wine from the Rhône Valley can wait in the cellar for another ten years to exhale all its aromatic nuances.