Maison Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

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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

La Crau, Palestor, Les Gardioles

Ageing

Ageing 8 months in new and one year old barrels. Allier, Tronçais and Jupille.

Serving

12°C
Decant just before service.

Alcohol content

13,5%

Bottling

Without fining and light filtration.

Cépages

Grenache blanc : 40 %
Roussanne : 30 %
Clairette : 20 %
Bourboulenc : 10 %

Creamy and alluring in style, with lemon sorbet, white peach, yellow apple, fennel and jasmine notes all curling around one another. A warm brioche accent completes the finish.

James Molesworth
Wine Spectator , 94/100 , 2019-09-25

Guide Bettane et Desseauve des vins de France , 18/20 , 2019-08-31

Not that intense on the nose but very true. Honeyed and lively — quite a triumph! Perhaps because of the varieties other than Grenache Blanc? Interesting slightly sour herbal note. Good wine with length.

Jancis Robinson , 16,5/20 , 2019-11-11