Producer >
Tardieu-Laurent is an almost unique operation in the Rhône Valley, a model that is much more commonly found in Burgundy and one that is a growing trend in Champagne. Somehow the French term for what they do fits more neatly, ‘micro-négociant éléveur haute couture.’
In English, it roughly translates to ‘a specialist in the maturation of outstanding wines, from top sites, in very limited quantities.’
Michel took over full ownership in 2004, a moment that coincided with the arrival of his son Bastien, a newly qualified oenologist. The company name remained unchanged as did the modus operandi but from that point and continuing through to today, the focus shifted, with an emphasis on elegance and freshness. They still age the wines in small oak barrels but only for the first year and have greatly lessened the percentage of new oak, eliminating it entirely for their reds from the South.
Viticulture >
IIndisputable and obvious consequences of a climatic change?
The Rhone vineyard has experienced in the last two years, two extreme, paradoxical and diametrically opposite vintages. 2021, frosty, cool and rainy. 2022 excessively dry and sunny.
This observation leaves us perplexed and wondering about the future of the vineyards.
Our overall assessment of the first juices was more severe, but certainly more objective than those of our colleagues, describing the vintage as one of the most qualitative of the last five years.
Of course 2022, has some wonderful surprises in store for us but also its fair share of
disappointments.
As a matter of fact, the “Great Valley” had to go through a lot of climatic pitfalls during the season. Due to the intense, previously unseen and unprecedented drought.
Once again, the resilience of the vine in the face of these climatic hazards, commands our respect and admiration. But up until which point?
As so often, may be too much to our liking, everything hangs by a thread. The mid-august and September rain more or less intense, had the salvaging effect on the sectors where the point of no return, water stress and the balance had not yet been reached.
This 2022 vintage is also indeniably marked by a strong heterogeneity between the appellations but also at the heart of the same appellation. Tastings at producers are primordial for amateurs. Our meticulous work of selection will have even more meaning this year and will reveal our know-how!
Winemaking >
An interesting blend of declassified wines from Crozes-Hermitage, Lirac, Cairanne, Vacqueyras and Rasteau.
One quarter of the blend comes from the North and three quarters from the South.
Made up of 20% Grenache Blanc (70 year old vines), 15% Marsanne (60 year old vines), 15% Roussanne (60 year old vines), 20% Clairette (30 year old vines) and 30% Viognier (40 year old vines).
Fermented in barrel with 5% new oak, the remainder in 1 year old and 2 year old barrels with further ageing for 6 months.
iognier : 30% Grenache : 20% Clairette : 20% Marsanne : 15% Roussanne : 15%
White
13.5%
France
Rhône Valley
6
Cork
Maison Tardieu-Laurent
75cl
Vegan
Vegetarian 
Fact Sheet
