Maison Tardieu Laurent - Côte Rôtie

Fashionable Wine ! All crispness, finesse, and aromatic distinction…

Presentation

The vintage
If we look at the half empty glass - or tank -, frustration, and even sadness, will overwhelm us : historically small yields in France. The lowest of the post-war years. Cellars are empty. Clearly, one has to state that climate hazards, methodically, worked against us this year, in a succession of definitely adverse events : an abnormally cool spring caused frost, then grape shatter, on all of Rhone cépages, and, more particularly, Grenache. This cruel Spring followed up on a dauntingly dry summer… In the end, the yields in juice are tragically affected. The Wine grower’s job becomes tightrope walker’s job… without a net. These realities being called to mind, if we now look at the half full glass - and it is our nature to be optimistic -, the words which will come to me are relief, and even… enthusiasm ! These very challenging conditions indeed gave birth to first juices of so brilliant a Quality as they do better than just console us : they succeed in enticing, the Vignerons and us… !
The vines had naturally little load : they reacted magnificently to the extreme conditions of the year. The plant was able to bring its fruit to maturity, without big constraint, in an optimal way. The Wines promise to be splendidly well-balanced !
Terroir
Landonne, Rozier, les Rochains.
Type of soil
Schists.
Ageing
12 months in new and one vintage barrels. Tronçais et Allier. Then 10 months in foudre.
Vinification
1/3 non destemmed.
Varietals
Serine, Syrah : 100%
Serine
Specifications
Alcohol content : 13% % vol.
Bottling : Without fining and filtration.
Age of vines : more than 40 years years old

Advice

Serving
16°C
Decant 2 hours before tasting.
Tasting
Fashionable Wine ! All crispness, finesse, and aromatic distinction…

Reviews

16,5/20
"Deep crimson. This cask sample is a little tired on the nose unfortunately. Charming round fruit that is – like the Crozes – sweeter and softer than usual. The tannins are relatively light although there’s enough acidity. Atypical for the appellation."
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96/100
"A blend of three Côte Brune terroirs, La Landonne, Lancement and Chavaroche, that spends 12 months in new and year-old barrels, then a further year in foudre. Gorgeous smoky black olive and charred rosemary nose. Not super concentrated,
but so drinkable, dynamic and complex, with an intense lifted freshness, vibrant
acid line and fine-grained tannins.
"
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17,5/20
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94-95/100
"Opaque ruby. Deeply pitched, mineral-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry pie and violet are complemented by a suave suggestion of exotic spices. Sappy and alluringly sweet, offering palate-staining black/blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors and a subtle hint of salty olive. Finishes sweet, seamless and extremely long, displaying sharply delineated mineral and floral pastille notes and steadily building tannins."
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