Maison Tardieu Laurent - Cornas - Coteaux

Explosive ! On spices and Morello cherry. A real delight for the nose ! The mouth is
both fleshy and slender. Remarkable success.

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 !
Year climatically unbalanced, but Cuvées showing balance… the Bourgogne way ! This, by the grace of Old Grenache, which brought to the highest level the singular personality of the real Rhone Wine. Wines are scented, refined...
Ageing
24 months in new and one old barrels.
Allier – Tronçais – Jupille
Vinification
1/2 not destemmed
Varietal
Syrah, Serine : 100%
Specifications
Alcohol content : 13,5 % vol.
Bottling : No fining, no filtration
Age of vines : 60 to 100 years years old

Advice

Tasting
Explosive ! On spices and Morello cherry. A real delight for the nose ! The mouth is both fleshy and slender. Remarkable success.

Reviews

16,5+/20
"Very deep, intense, purplish crimson. This was the first sample that didn’t smell completely fresh, as though it had been exposed to a little too much oxygen. Ambitious and glossy in terms of texture. Burnt notes and pretty dry on the end. Needs quite a bit of time. Savoury and a bit wild. Fruit is buried under the structure."
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92-93/100
"Bright purple. Lively, mineral-accented cherry and boysenberry aromas are complicated by suggestions of olive paste, incense and candied flowers. Broad and juicy on the palate, offering concentrated bitter cherry, cassis and violet pastille flavors and an energizing jolt of cracked pepper. Tightens up slowly with air and finishes smoky, chewy and quite long, with a lingering suggestion of candied cherry and solid tannic grip. (50% whole clusters)"
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16,5/20
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93/100
"This is well-packed, featuring a mix of dark fig and black currant fruit melded with sweet tapenade and dark tobacco notes. A light tarry frame guides the savory-tinted finish."
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