Tardieu Laurent : Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2022 Tardieu Laurent

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a beautiful red hue.

Nose
The nose opens with a fragrant bouquet of dried flowers, evoking violet and rose, delicately intertwined with oriental spices. With aeration, it reveals notes of garrigue, pepper, and subtle mineral touches.

Palate
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, dense and precise, supported by velvety tannins. The mid-palate unfolds aromas of black fruits such as blackcurrant and blackberry, underlined by a beautiful mineral thread that stretches the wine towards a rich, lingering finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted red meats, such as leg of lamb with herbs or beef bourguignon. It also pairs very well with game, a platter of spicy cured meats, or well-aged hard cheeses.

Service and storage

This Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2022 can be enjoyed now to appreciate its generous fruit, or cellared to develop further complexity over the years.

Other characteristics

This wine is bottled in its natural state, without any fining or filtration, allowing it to retain all of its texture, density, and aromatic complexity.

The authentic expression of a great Vacqueyras terroir

The estate

Founded in 1996 in Lourmarin, France, the house of Tardieu Laurent has established itself as an essential reference in the Rhône Valley. Created by Michel Tardieu, this micro-negociant structure stands out for its pursuit of excellence and rigorous selection of old vines. Today, the estate is still led by Michel Tardieu, actively supported by his wife Michèle and their children, Bastien and Camille. The estate continues a family philosophy centred on the pure expression of the terroirs and respect for winemaking traditions.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Vacqueyras come from carefully selected plots, notably on the Plateau de Sarrians, la Ponche, and Cabassole. The terroir is characterised by a mosaic of soils composed of rolled pebbles, sand, and clay, located at altitudes ranging from 100 to 400 metres. Swept by the mistral, these sixty- to hundred-year-old vines benefit from deep rooting, offering naturally low yields but great concentration.

The vintage

2022 began with a mild winter followed by a period of intense and prolonged drought from spring through the end of summer, heightened by the mistral wind. Fortunately, saving rains in mid-August allowed the berries to resume ripening, ultimately delivering a healthy, concentrated harvest with lovely freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2022 incorporates a significant proportion of whole clusters, with partial destemming to limit excessive extraction. Aging takes place in two stages: the wine first rests for ten months in French oak barrels, both new and one- or two-wine barrels. It then continues maturing for a further ten months in large wooden foudres, refining its structure before bottling.

Grape varieties

• Grenache (70%)
• Mourvèdre (15%)
• Syrah (15%)