Maison Tardieu-Laurent Tavel - Vieilles Vignes

The archetypical picture that we have of Tavel is peculiarly knocked down this year : The mouth is more chiseled, tighter, less ample than usual… A real delight at the apéritif !

Presentation

The vintage
Strange and paradoxical… This vintage has reserved us quite a few surprises, and
still raises questions. Although described as « Great » by some Vignerons, its strong
heterogeneity, depending on the sectors, imposes us to be attentive, measured, though hopeful.
2018 : the vegetative cycle is early. Spring sees generous rains and heat strokes
alternate. According to “Elders”, from memory one has to get back to the 60’ to observe such pressure of diseases in the vineyard. And, unfortunately for some Domaines, the processing windows would, in the main, only open at the week-ends… The vintage therefore promises to be technically complicated, demanding meticulous, tedious, even relentless work, in the vineyards. Damage and losses vary… but yields on Grenache are historically low… Providentially, once again, we could count on Mother Nature’s final “nudge” ! Without hesitation we can assert that the quality of the remaining grapes, the quality of their juice, is mainly due to a brilliant month of September.
Indeed, the weather conditions during the harvest were almost perfect. Cool but sunny weather, with well-marked, valued, thermal amplitudes… The Vigneron was able to choose in all serenity the ideal moment to harvest, plot of land by plot of land, without having to operate any constrained arbitration…
Terroir
Vallorgues.
Type of soil
Round pebbles and sand.
Ageing
6 months in concret tanks.
Vinification
Organic Farming.
Varietals
Grenache : 60%
Cinsault : 30%
Syrah : 10%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 14% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and light filtration.
Age of vines : From 40 to 50 years. years old

Advice

Serving
10°C
Tasting
The mouth is more chiseled, tighter, less ample than usual… A real delight at the apéritif !

Reviews

92/100
"Bright orange. Pungent, expansive cherry and blood orange aromas are complemented by suggestions of candied flowers and minerals. Chewy and energetic in the mouth, offering powerful red berry and bitter cherry flavors underscored by a core of juicy acidity. Finishes impressively long and precise, with a building floral nuance and lingering spiciness."
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